New South Wales children under the age of five will be eligible for free flu vaccines.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said 400,000 eligible children aged between six months and five years would be able to have the vaccine from April, reports ABC news.

“It was a horror season last year,” she said.

“All too frequently we heard about those most vulnerable, including young children, undergoing touch-and-go situations,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“It’s a life-threatening illness and we want to prevent it as much as possible.

“Free flu vaccinations for children between six months and five years of age is a good deal. Please take it up.”

There were more than 12,000 confirmed cases of influenza in children under five, Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.

The vaccine will cover four strains of influenza virus, two A strains and two B strains.

Children who have never had the flu vaccine would need two doses, one month apart and then a flu shot every year after that.

The vaccine would be available at GPs, Aboriginal medical centres, community centres or local councils currently running immunisation programs.

A similar program is already offered in Western Australia.

I hope this is something offered across all states!

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