This year’s influenza wave is concerning, however with significant cuts to the healthcare budget since the Crisafulli Government took office and vaccination rates the lowest in years, it’s hardly surprising we’re in this position.
Flu cases are 1.5 times higher than the 5-year average, and flu-related deaths have now surpassed 100 for the season, up from 94 in the same period last year.
Many emergency departments are at capacity, and last month elective surgeries at four major hospitals were cancelled as high numbers of flu patients flooded in.
Despite claims from Health Minister Tim Nicholls the wave came “out of the blue”, the State Government’s record on healthcare to date tells a different story.
Queensland has recorded the lowest flu vaccination rates in the country this season, with around 85 percent of hospitalised patients not vaccinated.
It’s widely accepted by health professionals that vaccines are the best preventative measure against seasonal influenza, so why aren’t people getting them?
Flu jabs were made free for anyone over 6 months of age by the previous Labor Government, and despite flirting with the decision to can the program last year, the LNP begrudgingly agreed to keep it.
But free vaccines aren’t worth much if people don’t know about them, and it’s been revealed the LNP spent approximately three times more on self-promotion than health promotion by spreading awareness for the jab.
For the LNP, taxpayer’s money is better spent changing the Queensland logo from maroon to blue and a smear campaign trashing the former Government’s healthcare infrastructure expansion plan.
The Health Ministry was warned cases were spiking back in May, and despite clear evidence of inadequate preparations for flu season since then, the Government continues to undermine the free jab program.
A recent decision to discontinue the free vaccination clinic at the Ekka – opened in 2022 and vaccinating nearly 1000 showgoers last year – absolutely beggars belief.
Seasonal sickness often spikes during and after the Ekka, and with policy decisions like these we can only expect the death toll to rise.
Compounding the crisis further is the Government’s refusal to deliver on promised nation-leading pay and conditions for nurses at a time when healthcare workers are burnt out, frustrated and leaving for greener pastures interstate.
To make matters even worse, the LNP also voted to cut funding to emergency departments if patients aren’t moved on within 24 hours, while delaying healthcare infrastructure projects and completely scrapping others, including a proposed spinal injuries unit.
In under a year, this Government has given us a glimpse of what mismanagement of the healthcare portfolio can lead to, with their priorities clearly more invested in promoting their own branding than Queenslanders’ safety.
When asked, Premier David Crisafulli won’t even reveal whether he’s had a flu jab this year or not.
With all that said, it’s never too late to get vaccinated, and by doing so you’ll be doing your bit to reduce strain on our healthcare system and keep your friends, family and colleagues safe.
For more information about influenza and where you can get vaccinated, click here.
