Free vaccinations for WA pensioners aged 75 and over against ‘deadly’ RSV as part of nationwide program

Pensioners aged 75 and over will soon be able to be vaccinated against the potentially deadly RSV virus for free. From May 15, anyone aged 75 and over as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 and over can receive a free vaccination from GPs, immunisation clinics, community and Aboriginal health services and participating pharmacies. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler on Saturday urged those eligible to take advantage of the free vaccinations “I encourage eligible Australians to protect themselves and their community this winter by getting vaccinated against RSV,” Mr Butler said. “Aged care residents and older First Nations people are particularly vulnerable to this common respiratory illness.” He also urged the community to get vaccinated against the flu. “Booking yourself and your family in for a flu vaccine each year is the safest and most effective way to protect yourselves and others against influenza. “No two influenza seasons are the same and the flu can spread all year round, so it’s never too late to get vaccinated.” Pregnant women are also eligible for free RSV vaccines as well as free influenza and COVID jabs. More than 225,000 mums in Australia have received the maternal RSV vaccine to protect their babies.