Less than a third of Queensland’s population has received the flu vaccine this season; however, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie maintains that he is satisfied with the state’s vaccination levels. “My understanding is the flu numbers are actually down,” Bleijie commented, attributing some of this to individual choices concerning vaccinations, which are discussed among patients and their GPs.
The situation differs significantly from 2021, when Bleijie publicly encouraged Queenslanders to receive their flu shots. This year, another political figure, Crisafulli, refrained from disclosing his vaccination status, stating that it is a private matter between him and his doctor, despite having publicly received a COVID-19 vaccine.
To date, Queensland has reported over 48,000 confirmed cases of influenza in 2023, with alarming statistics showing that 80 to 90 per cent of those hospitalised had not received the flu vaccine. Dr Nick Yim from the Australian Medical Association Queensland emphasised the need for consistency in vaccination messaging from political leaders, underscoring the significance of a unified stance on public health.
Infectious diseases expert Dr Paul Griffin acknowledged that not everyone is willing to showcase their vaccination experience on social media. Nevertheless, he suggested that political leaders should demonstrate their commitment to vaccination, given its critical importance for public health.