2024 Free Flu Vaccination Program

The 2024 Free Influenza Vaccination Program is now running. All Queensland residents over the age of 6 months can access the influenza vaccine for free in 2024.

Please remember to offer the influenza vaccine to all your eligible patients. Our General Practice Quality Improvement team can support your practice to identify eligible patients and establish goals for increasing your vaccination rates. Contact the Quality Improvement team via support@bsphn.org.au.

Details of the 2024 program

• The program is available to Queensland residents only, including residents without a Medicare card.

• The program will reimburse vaccination service providers for privately purchased vaccines administered to Queenslanders not eligible under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). General Practitioners do not have to change the way they currently bill for influenza vaccination consultation as a function of this program.

• The program will finish on Monday 30 September 2024.

National Immunisation Program (NIP)

There are no changes for people already eligible for free influenza vaccination under the NIP.

Providers should continue to administer the NIP vaccines for NIP-eligible people.

Providers will continue to receive NIP funded influenza vaccines directly from the Queensland Health Immunisation Program (QHIP). Registration with QHIP is a governance requirement for access to NIP vaccines.

For people not eligible for NIP, vaccination service providers should continue to administer influenza vaccine from their privately purchased stock. Any remaining/unadministered stock from the current season will not be reimbursed.

Ordering and administering the vaccine

Vaccine providers should continue to order influenza vaccines through their usual process.

Reimbursement for vaccination providers

Vaccination providers can receive reimbursement from Queensland Health.

More information about reimbursement is available on the Queensland Health website: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/immunisation/service-providers/2024-free-flu-vaccination-program

2024 National Immunisation Program Influenza Vaccination Advice

The Department of Health and Aged Care has released important advice for health professionals regarding the 2024 National Immunisation Program. Access the detailed information, including eligibility, vaccination timing, funded cohorts, and the ATAGI clinical statement: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/2024-influenza-vaccination-program-advice-for-health-professionals.

More resources and support

• Brisbane South PHN 2024 Immunisation and Influenza Update event, Monday 15 April 2024
  For additional support and comprehensive updates, we invite you to register for the Brisbane South PHN 2024 Immunisation and Influenza Update event. Join us at this link to stay informed.

• Online education: Complex Catchup for Immunisation
  Attend Benchmarque Group's interactive virtual workshop designed for experienced immunisers in Australia. Register for the event here.

• Want support identifying eligible patients?
  Our Quality Improvement team can support your practice to identify eligible patients and establish goals for increasing your vaccination rates. Contact the Quality Improvement team via support@bsphn.org.au or phone (07) 3864 7540.