Roll out of the human swine flu vaccine will begin in Queensland from 30 September 2009, Acting Premier Paul Lucas announced today.
Queensland has undertaken extensive planning for the vaccine's roll-out, including prioritizing vulnerable groups and facilitating appropriate distribution for the State's decentralized population.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) registered the new Panvax® H1N1 vaccine on Friday, with distribution throughout the State to be undertaken by CSL.

Mr Lucas said Queensland would focus on vaccinating groups at higher risk of exposure as an immediate priority, including people most vulnerable to more severe outcomes and health care workers.

"From 30 September Queensland will begin the roll-out of the human swine flu vaccine," Mr Lucas said.

"Vaccinations will be rolled out through public hospitals and community service providers throughout the State, and vaccine is also being supplied to around 800 General Practices throughout Queensland.

Mobile nursing teams will also be travelling to the more remote Indigenous communities.

"Providing vaccines to Indigenous and remote communities will be a key priority, and we will also use our existing chronic disease networks to maximise the roll-out of the vaccine to help protect people who tend to become sickest if they do contract human swine flu," he said.

"For example, in Cairns we will have a dedicated clinic at Cairns Base Hospital and access for vulnerable groups at specific outpatient clinics, as well as facilities in outlying and remote communities including Edmonton, Croydon, Dimbulah and Mission Beach."

Mr Lucas said Queensland Health had plans in place in each region to ensure the roll out was tailored to the unique needs of the local area.

Mr Lucas said while the emphasis would be on targeting vulnerable groups, anyone who wished to protect themselves from pandemic influenza was also encouraged to be vaccinated, including friends, family and carers of people in vulnerable groups.

Vulnerable groups include Indigenous people; people in remote and isolated communities; pregnant women and those with chronic conditions such as heart disease, asthma and other lung diseases, cancer, obesity, diabetes, kidney and liver disease and neurological disease.

Parents and guardians of infants up to six months old and children aged 10 and over in special schools will also be a high priority for vaccination.

Vaccinations for children under the age of 10 will commence once TGA approval is given for the vaccine to be used in this age group.

People seeking to access the human swine flu vaccine through their regular General Practice are advised to contact their GP regarding vaccine availability after 30 September.

Further information is available calling 13HEALTH or visiting the Queensland Health human swine flu website: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/swineflu/