Every year during Immunisation Action Week (24 – 30 April), the Immunisation Coalition hosts a Free Flu Vaccination Day to support our mission of improving public health for all Australians. We are proud to report that this year’s event was a remarkable success, taking place across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide.
Vaccination Impact by City:
- Sydney: Achieved a notable increase from last year, vaccinating 343 people compared to 240 in 2023.
- Melbourne: Consistently strong, we matched our target with 600 vaccinations, improving from 517 the previous year.
- Brisbane: This year, Queensland announced a state-wide free flu vaccination program, however we still managed to vaccinate 130 people .
- Adelaide: Our newest site made a solid debut, meeting our target with 300 vaccinations.
In total, 1,373 individuals received their flu shots under our initiative this year, compared to 1,066 in 2023. This represents a significant 29% increase in vaccinations, a testament to our collective effort and dedication to public health.
Community Feedback:
We received overwhelmingly positive feedback:
- “Great program. Very organised and very easy. Thank you.”
- “Very easy, fast, positive experience. Everyone very friendly.”
- “Loved the service, it was easy to book, good location and fast service. It is so good that it is free as those visiting or who can’t afford the shot can still get it.”
- “Thank you from the bottom of my heart and best regards to you and all of your family to have good health.”
We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the distinguished guests who participated in our Free Flu Vaccination Day events across the country. We are thankful for their invaluable support and the pivotal roles they play in advocating for public health.
Special Guests Across Cities:
- Melbourne:
- Cr Nicholas Reece, Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne
- Sydney:
- Matt Kean, Shadow Minister of Health NSW
- Brisbane:
- Mr Kim Sampson, Former CEO of the Immunisation Coalition
- A/Prof Paul Griffin, Infectious Diseases Physician and Director of the Immunisation Coalition
- Dr Stephen Lambert, Senior Medical Officer, Department of Health
- Adelaide:
- Dr Rodney Pearce AM, Chairman of the Immunisation Coalition
- Chris Picton, Minister for Health
- Janet Giles, Councillor (Representative for the Mayor)
Furthermore, a vital part of this successful event was the amazing team of volunteers present in each city. Their dedication and hard work were the backbone of the operation, ensuring everything ran smoothly and efficiently. We cannot thank them enough for their dedication to the well-being of their community.
Lastly, a special thanks to CSL Seqirus for supply of vaccines and Arrotex for registration services, nursing staff and general support.
It is the Immunisation Coalition’s mission to improve the protection of all Australians against infectious diseases, and programs such as our Free Flu Vaccination Day are just one example of how we strive to achieve this. We again thank all participants, volunteers, special guests, and sponsors, for your commitment to preventing influenza and ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities. Your efforts are truly appreciated and we look forward to seeing you all next year.
