00:01For teenagers scared of needles, an easier option.
00:05What today's announcement is about is making sure that we extend the very popular flu mist option,
00:11which addresses some of that hesitancy.
00:14The government extending WA's needle-free influenza vaccine program, FluMist,
00:19to young people aged 12 to 17, building on the current rollout to children aged 2 to 11.
00:24When I'm about to get vaccinated, I feel a lot of stress.
00:26My heart feels heavy and I have a lot of trouble thinking clearly.
00:30I do have a very big fear of needles.
00:32And so this has become a much better option for me.
00:34The expansion part of efforts to lift flu immunisation rates,
00:39WA's targets for 2026 30% for 6 months to 12 years old, 65% for 65s and older,
00:46and an ambitious 40% for the whole population.
00:49While WA's behind on all targets,
00:51improving vaccination rates across the entire population remains the biggest task.
00:56This graph showing the slow progress of vaccination uptake this year in each group,
01:01which appears to be stabilising.
01:03Vaccination policy expert Katie Atwell says there's still time to meet the targets that are a priority of government.
01:09If you're going to do this and put your back into it,
01:11you might as well set something that is attainable, but also, you know, it's going to take some work.
01:17We will do everything possible we can.
01:20We've had record investment.
01:21Front of mind for the government, last year's horror flu season,
01:24which contributed to ambulance ramping records and elective surgery cancellations.
01:29We've been very focused on what we can do to make sure we've got capacity in our system to meet
01:34the demand that exists.
01:35WA's peak medical body says the government has been better prepared for this winter season,
01:41in contrast to last year.
01:44But, as is often the case in health, the AMA says there's more to be done.
01:48This is not a one-off thing.
01:50Winter happens every year,
01:51and we are still playing catch-up in terms of being able to have the capacity or the services.
01:58Preparing for the next few months, one vaccine or spray at a time.
Comments