Lung Foundation Australia has welcomed the Crisafulli Government’s announcement of an expanded free influenza vaccination program, ensuring every Queenslander aged six months and older can access a free flu vaccine ahead of the peak flu season.
From 1 March 2026, Queenslanders will be eligible to receive a free influenza vaccine through Australia’s largest and most accessible statewide flu vaccination program, including access to a needle-free vaccine for eligible children.
Lung Foundation Australia Chief Executive Officer, Mark Brooke said the announcement was a significant step forward for public health and respiratory disease prevention.
“This is a strong and welcome commitment from the Crisafulli Government that will save lives and reduce pressure on Queensland’s health system,” Mr Brooke said.
“Influenza remains a serious and sometimes deadly illness, particularly for people living with lung disease, older Queenslanders and other priority populations. Making flu vaccines free and accessible to everyone removes one of the biggest barriers to protection.”
The announcement follows a Lung Foundation Australia submission to the Queensland Government in October 2025, calling for funded, multi-year commitments to free influenza vaccination to provide certainty for health services and communities.
Last year, Queensland recorded its highest influenza hospitalisation rate in years, with data showing that around 80 percent of influenza hospitalisations to the end of September occurred in people who had not been vaccinated.
These figures clearly show how effective influenza vaccination is in preventing severe illness and hospitalisation,” Mr Brooke said.
Lung Foundation Australia is also calling on the Queensland Government to invest $500,000 over the next two years to co-design and deliver targeted initiatives to improve vaccination rates for people living in rural and regional Queensland, where coverage rates continue to lag behind metropolitan areas.
Lung Foundation Australia looks forward to continuing to work with the Queensland Government to improve influenza vaccination uptake and protect the lung health of all Queenslanders.
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