❓ Hon Steve Martin questions the Minister for Health regarding the timing of the state's influenza vaccination program rollout, specifically why it commences on 1 May despite advice suggesting earlier vaccination.
AnsweredQoN 193Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Health—Influenza vaccination
193. Hon Steve Martin to
the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister
for Health:
I refer to the
clinical advice received by the minister regarding this year's rollout of the
state's influenza vaccination program commencing on 1 May.
(1) Did the advice provided to the
minister specifically state that 1 May was the optimal date to commence the
vaccination rollout?
(2) Why is the rollout commencing on 1
May when the Australian Medical Association Western Australia has publicly
stated that the key is to be vaccinated before the flu season begins and that
in most parts of Australia, this means from April onwards?
(3) Will the minister table the advice
provided on the timing of the vaccination rollout program by the AMA WA, the Chief
Health Officer and the Department of Health?
193. Hon Steve Martin to
the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister
for Health:
I refer to the
clinical advice received by the minister regarding this year's rollout of the
state's influenza vaccination program commencing on 1 May.
(1) Did the advice provided to the
minister specifically state that 1 May was the optimal date to commence the
vaccination rollout?
(2) Why is the rollout commencing on 1
May when the Australian Medical Association Western Australia has publicly
stated that the key is to be vaccinated before the flu season begins and that
in most parts of Australia, this means from April onwards?
(3) Will the minister table the advice
provided on the timing of the vaccination rollout program by the AMA WA, the Chief
Health Officer and the Department of Health?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided by the Minister for Health.
(1)–(3) The 1 May start date applies to the state-funded
Western Australia free Influenza Vaccination Program. The optimal time for the
program delivery has been informed by expert advice from the Department of
Health. This advice is based on the Department of Health's evidence, which
indicates the respiratory illness season typically peaks in Western Australia
between June and September, and vaccination programs are timed to provide
protection across the season.
The Minister for Preventive
Health, as the responsible minister, has not received correspondence from the
Australian Medical Association on this matter. The state government will
continue to work alongside the AMA to promote the uptake of vaccinations for
the winter respiratory illness season.
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided by the Minister for Health.
(1)–(3) The 1 May start date applies to the state-funded
Western Australia free Influenza Vaccination Program. The optimal time for the
program delivery has been informed by expert advice from the Department of
Health. This advice is based on the Department of Health's evidence, which
indicates the respiratory illness season typically peaks in Western Australia
between June and September, and vaccination programs are timed to provide
protection across the season.
The Minister for Preventive
Health, as the responsible minister, has not received correspondence from the
Australian Medical Association on this matter. The state government will
continue to work alongside the AMA to promote the uptake of vaccinations for
the winter respiratory illness season.
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