06.43 pm, Saturday November 21 2009

Push to make flu jab free to over 50s

15:16 AEST Tue May 6 2008
By Tamara McLean
VIEWS: 0
| FLOCKS: 0
| comments0 comments so far

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".

 
SHARE:
MESSENGER
FACEBOOK
MORE
Blog on Spaces
Add to delicious
Add to Digg
Share on MySpace
?
Share, bookmark, and save your favourite ninemsn articles and features.  Learn more.

Most popular

 Demi furious at Photoshop claimsDemi Moore has reacted with fury at allegations her body was badly 'enhanced' by a fashion magazine.
 One dead as Miley Cyrus tour bus crashesThe driver of a Miley Cyrus tour bus has died and one passenger has been injured after the vehicle veered off the road and flipped over in Virginia.
 Spears' ex-boyfriend sentenced to jailBritney Spears' ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib is being sent to jail for 45 days for leaving the scene of an accident.
 British poll reveals sexual ignoranceMore than one in 10 British people don't realise that a woman can still get pregnant if she has sex standing up, according to a poll on Friday.
 Departing Oprah problem for TV stationsOprah Winfrey will leave a huge void for broadcast TV in 2011, even as she raises the possibility of more Oprah than ever when she starts her own cable network.
 Kim Watkins' future at Ten uncertainThe future career of morning television host Kim Watkins is uncertain, with Network Ten unable to say if she'll return in 2010.
 Norfolk pilot 'flew without enough fuel'The pilot hailed a hero for ditching his plane safely off Norfolk Island this week may have been dangerously negligent after reportedly making the journey without enough fuel.
 Barmaid claims she had sex with SA premierA former parliament house barmaid has come forward claiming she had a sexual relationship with South Australian Premier Mike Rann.
 Fire threat eases in the southern statesThe bushfire threat in the southern states has eased as rain and cooler weather sweep through the fire-affected areas.
 Cuba offers free penis implantsCuba's government has offered its first free penis implants, part of a program set to be expanded across the communist island, a newspaper has reported.
Amanda Knox at her trial. (AAP)'Harboured hate'Prosecutor sums up murder case against student Amanda Knox. In for the long haul... don't forget activity bag! (Getty Images)Trouble-free tripsTRAVEL: How to plan a family adventure without the pain. A happy fan gets his copy of Modern Warfare. (AAP)Bloody bonanzaModern Warfare 2 rakes in over $500 million in its first week. AAPBad energyIs there a connection between mobile phones and cancer? ACAChurch slammedAussie senator brands Scientology a 'criminal organisation'. Schoolies celebrations on the Gold Coast. (AAP)Schoolies swipeCalls for drinking age to be lifted to 19 ahead of annual teen party.
advertisement
Entourage death Miley Cyrus's driver killed, another injured after tour bus overturns ... read more Running on empty Cleo bachelor pilot reportedly made journey without enough fuel ... read more 'Worst Photoshop ever' Demi Moore's hip deformed in Photoshop disaster ... read more Sickest stunt Furious hackers track down man who hurled dog off bridge and posted video online ... read more Stuck in chair for eight months 365kg man dies after being stuck in a recliner chair for months ... read more Hair dye horror Teenage girl's face 'turns into an alien' after a botched hair dye job ... read more Become a Nine News breaker Seen or heard something? Send tip-offs, images and video from your mobile or PC ... contact us
Premier's sex scandalBarmaid claims she had affair with South Australian leader Mike Rann
You need the latest version of Flash Player.
Enjoy the most vivid content on the web
Watch video without extra features
Interact with applications on your favourite sites
Upgrade now

page complete
Other ninemsn businesses: iSelect RateCity
© 1997-2009 ninemsn Pty Ltd - All rights reserved