Queensland Government Free Influenza Vaccination Program
Program Overview: ‘Free Flu Jabs for Every Queenslander’
On 17 July 2023, the Queensland Government announced that all Queensland residents, from 6 months of age*, would be eligible to receive a free flu vaccine from Saturday 22 July 2023. This comes as the state faces a severe outbreak of Influenza B and low influenza vaccination uptake.
*Reminder as of 1 March 2023, pharmacists are able to vaccinate persons from 6 months of age under the Queensland Extended Practice Authority. For more information, please see the below FAQs.
Eligibility
All Queensland residents, aged 6 months and over, are eligible for an influenza vaccination under this program.
The intent of the program is to provide vaccinations for Queensland residents, however, Queensland Health understands that there may be vulnerable populations that need to be vaccinated regardless of their residential address, including all NIP eligible patients and elderly holidaymakers visiting Queensland for an extended period.
Pharmacists are asked to use their discretion in administering vaccines to patients who may not reside in Queensland.
Timeframes
All Queensland residents will be able to obtain a free influenza vaccination, funded by the Queensland Government, in community pharmacies from Saturday 22 July 2023 until 31 August 2023 (inclusive).
Please note, patients who have an existing booking prior to Saturday 22 July will still be eligible for a free vaccine under the program. Influenza vaccinations administered to Queensland residents from Monday July 17th will be remunerated under this program.
How to Participate
Participation in the program is optional but we strongly encourage all pharmacies to consider participating as it will assist in delivering the broader public health initiative. If you choose not to participate in the program, you are unable to be reimbursed by the Queensland Government for vaccines administered during the program period. Reimbursement can only be sought via participation in the program.
Participating as a MedAdvisor customer
Pharmacies that have a Standard or Premium subscription with MedAdvisor can continue to record influenza vaccination occasions of service as normal and MedAdvisor will facilitate payment.
Pharmacies that have a MedAdvisor Essentials subscription are advised to contact MedAdvisor via support@medadvisor.com.au to upgrade their subscriptions.
Participating without being a MedAdvisor customer
Pharmacies without a MedAdvisor subscription are advised to contact MedAdvisor via support@medadvisor.com.au
For further information, please contact the Queensland Branch via business.support@qldguild.org.au
Booking Information
Patients can book an appointment via www.findapharmacy.com.au or use the pharmacy’s booking platform as normal. Patients may also present to a pharmacy for a walk-in appointment.
Remuneration Information
Pharmacies will be paid $20 plus GST ($22 incl GST) for the administration of National Immunisation Program (NIP)-funded vaccines to NIP-eligible patients.
Pharmacies will be paid $25 plus GST ($27.50 incl GST) for the administration of influenza vaccines to those people ineligible for NIP-funded vaccines.
For information regarding cell-based and high-dose vaccines, please see below FAQs.
Pharmacies that have a Standard or Premium subscription with MedAdvisor will be paid via MedAdvisor one month in arrears.
Please ensure that your bank account details are up-to-date in MedAdvisor to allow for payment.
Pharmacies that have a MedAdvisor Essentials subscription are advised to contact MedAdvisor via support@medadvisor.com.au to upgrade their subscriptions.
Pharmacies without a MedAdvisor subscription are also advised to contact MedAdvisor via support@medadvisor.com.au
For further information, please contact the Queensland Branch via business.support@qldguild.org.au
FAQs
Information is current as of 19 July 2023.
Participation
Do all pharmacies have to participate?
Participation in the program is optional but we strongly encourage all pharmacies to consider participating as it will assist in delivering the broader public health initiative. If you choose to not participate in the program, you are unable to be reimbursed by the Queensland Government for vaccines, reimbursement can only be sought via participation.
How do I participate as a MedAdvisor customer?
Pharmacies that have a Standard or Premium subscription with MedAdvisor can continue to record influenza vaccination occasions of service as normal and MedAdvisor will facilitate payment.
Pharmacies that have a MedAdvisor Essentials subscription are advised to contact MedAdvisor via support@medadvisor.com.au to upgrade their subscriptions.
Pharmacies without a MedAdvisor subscription are also advised to contact MedAdvisor via support@medadvisor.com.au
Can I participate if I am not a MedAdvisor customer?
Pharmacies without a MedAdvisor subscription are advised to contact MedAdvisor via support@medadvisor.com.au
Patient Eligibility
Who is eligible to receive a free flu vaccination via the program?
Queensland residents, aged 6 months and over, regardless of Medicare status are eligible to receive a free influenza vaccination.
The intent of the program is to provide vaccinations for Queensland residents, however, Queensland Health understands that there may be vulnerable populations that need to be vaccinated regardless of their residential address, including all NIP eligible patients and elderly holidaymakers visiting Queensland for an extended period.
Pharmacists are asked to use their discretion in administering vaccines to patients who may not reside in Queensland.
Can pharmacists vaccinate children?
All appropriately-trained pharmacists working in Queensland can administer influenza vaccines to persons 6 months and above, as per the requirements in the Extended Practice Authority - Pharmacists.
Do pharmacists need to do extra training to vaccinate children younger than 10 years of age?
There is no additional training requirement for pharmacists to administer influenza vaccinations to children. The Australasian College of Pharmacy has developed a Childhood Immunisation Module which can be accessed via GuildEd and completed prior to vaccinating children.
It is currently recommended that children aged 6 months to <9 receive two influenza vaccinations, 4 weeks apart when receiving their FIRST influenza vaccination. Will their second vaccination be covered under this Program?
Yes. Where both vaccines are administered before August 31st (the Program end date) both vaccinations will be reimbursed.
Please note, children who received 1 or more doses of influenza vaccines in a previous season only need 1 dose of influenza vaccine in current and future seasons
Remuneration/Fees
How much will pharmacies be remunerated for delivering the Queensland Free Flu Program?
Pharmacies will be paid $20 plus GST ($22 incl GST) for the administration of National Immunisation Program (NIP)-funded vaccines.
Pharmacies will be paid $25 plus GST ($27.50 incl GST) for the administration of influenza vaccines to those people ineligible for NIP-funded vaccines.
How will the pharmacy be paid under this Program?
Pharmacies with a Standard or Premium subscription with MedAdvisor will receive payment one month in arrears via MedAdvisor. Please ensure that your bank account details are up-to-date in MedAdvisor to allow for payment.
Pharmacies that have a MedAdvisor Essentials subscription are advised to contact MedAdvisor via support@medadvisor.com.au to upgrade their subscriptions.
Pharmacies without a MedAdvisor subscription are also advised to contact MedAdvisor via support@medadvisor.com.au
Can I charge an administration fee to the patient?
Under this program, pharmacies are not permitted to charge any additional fees to the patient.
Please note, the intent of the initiative is that no Queenslander pays for an influenza vaccination throughout the duration of the initiative. Therefore, pharmacists cannot charge the patient any fee for the administration of an influenza vaccination.
Will influenza vaccinations administered after the Premier’s announcement and prior to Saturday 22nd July be remunerated via the program?
Yes, pharmacies can honour any existing bookings made from Monday 17th July and provide these vaccinations free of charge to customers. All influenza vaccinations administered to Queensland residents from July 17th will be remunerated under this program.
Other
Which vaccines are covered under this program?
Egg-based influenza vaccines including Fluarix Tetra, FluQuadri, Influvac Tetra, Vaxigrip Tetra, Afluria Quad and Fluad Quad are covered under the program.
Patients are able to be vaccinated with the cell-based vaccine (Flucelvax Quad) or the high dose quadrivalent vaccine (Fluzone High Dose Quadrivalent) under the program, however, the Queensland Government will only provide $27.50 (incl GST) for the administration of these privately sourced vaccines.
Please note, the intent of the initiative is that no Queenslander pays for an influenza vaccination throughout the duration of the initiative. Therefore, pharmacists cannot charge the patient any fee for the administration of vaccines under this program.
Pharmacists are able to use National Immunisation Program (NIP)-funded vaccines for eligible patients and privately sourced vaccines for those people ineligible for NIP-funded vaccines.
How can patients make a booking at my pharmacy?
Patients can visit www.findapharmacy.com.au to book an appointment at a pharmacy or use the pharmacy’s booking platform as normal. Patients may also present to a pharmacy for a walk-in appointment.
Where can I get stock of influenza vaccines?
Stock should be purchased through your pharmacy’s regular influenza vaccine wholesaler. We understand that there may be some challenges in sourcing stock and we are working with wholesalers and the Queensland Government to ensure there is adequate supply across the state.
When does the program finish?
The Queensland Free Flu Program will end on August 31st 2023.
For more information, please contact:
Page last updated on: 20 July 2023