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Stronger Flu Vaccines To Be Rolled Out In 2016

Stronger Flu Vaccines To Be Rolled Out In 2016
Vaccinations
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Vaccinations

Following a record number of flu cases this year, the Federal Government will introduce stronger flu shots to protect people most vulnerable in 2016.

The new influenza vaccine will cover four different strains of virus instead of three, expanding its effectiveness to include the Brisbane and Phuket strains of influenza.

Pregnant women, children aged under 3, people aged over 65, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders within certain age brackets and those with specific medical conditions will get free access to the flu shot.

"There were 90,000 reported flu cases in 2015, that's 25,000 higher than the previous record, so we know that more people are getting the flu," Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley said.

Ley said the government worked closely with vaccine producers to ensure the product meets World Health Organisation recommendations.

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