Push to make flu jab free to over 50s

Flu specialists are planning a new push to get the flu vaccine available free to all Australians over the age of 50.

Dr Alan Hampson, chairman of the Influenza Specialist Group, says the expert body is considering re-applying to have three vaccines added to the National Immunisation Program for people aged 50 to 64.

The last application was knocked back by a government committee in February on the grounds that it would not do enough to drop death and hospitalisation rates.

But Dr Hampson said the group planned to try again.

"This age group is important to focus on because most of the under 65 year olds with chronic diseases, and therefore more vulnerable to the flu, are over 50," he said.

The vaccine is currently free for people over 65 and available at a discounted rate for younger Australians with a chronic disease.

"We've been quite successful with the older people but the truth is the pick-up for the latter group has been relatively poor," said Dr Hampson, a consultant to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

"An age-based program is a more logical way to capture these at-risk people."

About 2,500 Australians die each year from the flu, according to recent assessments, and most of these are older Australians.

Dr Hampson estimated it would cost the federal government about $10 million to extend the immunisation program, and argued this was "relatively little", given the potential benefits.

"If it keeps people well and out of hospital then it will be cost effective enough, but we just need to be able to prove that," he said.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee rejected the previous application as it was not shown to be cost-effective enough.

A new application would be too late to bring benefits this winter, Dr Hampson said.

The 2007 season was the most severe since 2003, with six children dying in three states.

A study from South Australia published this week argued that hospitalisation rates among toddlers were high enough to justify free vaccinations for children aged two and under.

Dr Hampson said this push was also on the specialist group's agenda, "just a little further down".