Palm Islanders rush to protect themselves against Flu

There has been an unprecedented spike in the number of Palm Islanders making the most of the free Influenza vaccine at the new Palm Island Primary Healthcare Centre.

It comes as the number of Influenza cases across North Queensland soar to more than 1000 confirmed cases, more than three times higher than last year.

Yesterday more than 175 people received their vaccination at the new $16.5 million Palm Island Primary Healthcare Centre which was opened last month.

Senior Medical Officer Dr Shaun Hosein said the number of Palm Islanders having received the Influenza vaccine had exceeded 525 – about 20 per cent of the population.

“We’ve seen a remarkable response from Palm Islanders to this year’s Influenza campaign and I think the convenience of being able to access the jab from the new centre has made a huge difference,” he said.

“It has been a really severe Influenza season across all of Queensland, so I hope we continue to see high numbers of people wanting their vaccination in the coming weeks.”

Service Group Director Liza Tomlinson said the opening of the $16.5 million Palm Island Primary Healthcare Centre by Minister for Health Steven Miles had been quickly embraced by the community.

“The community has really voted with its feet,” she said.

“The feedback from the staff is that the community is loving being able to get care and the new facility and access to the Flu vaccine has been a big reason our staff have been kept busy.”

Influenza is a serious viral illness. It is not the same as a common cold and can lead to life-threatening complications, particularly in the very young, pregnant women, the elderly and people with complex chronic diseases like heart disease or diabetes.

Influenza vaccine is provided free to eligible Queenslanders including all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and older.

Dr Hosein said getting the vaccination was a simple, easy and free way of protecting against a disease that can be particularly nasty.

“The best way to protect yourself and your family from Influenza is to get vaccinated,” he said.

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