2024 Free Flu Vaccination Program
All Queensland residents over the age of 6 months can access the influenza vaccine for free in 2024.
Funded by the Queensland government, the 2024 Free Influenza Vaccination Program has now commenced. The Program will conclude on 30 September 2024.
Scope of the 2024 Program
Every opportunity should be taken to offer the influenza vaccine to all Queenslanders from 6 months of age.
The 2024 Free Flu Vaccination Program (the Program) will be available to Queensland residents only, including those without a Medicare card. The Program will reimburse Vaccination Service Providers (VSPs) for privately purchased vaccines administered to Queenslanders not eligible under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
There are no changes for people already eligible for free influenza vaccine under the NIP. Providers should continue to administer the NIP vaccines for NIP-eligible cohorts. Providers will continue to receive NIP funded influenza vaccines directly from the Queensland Health Immunisation Program (QHIP). Registration with QHIP is a governance requirement for access to NIP vaccines.
Note, there is no intent for General Practitioners to change the way they currently bill for influenza vaccination consultation as a function of this Program.
Ordering and administering the vaccine
Vaccines should continue to be ordered through your usual process.
For NIP eligible people, vaccine service providers should continue to administer the NIP vaccines received directly from QHIP.
For people not eligible for NIP, vaccine service providers should continue to administer influenza vaccine from their privately purchased stock. Providers should keep in mind that any remaining/unadministered stock from the current season will not be reimbursed.
Note, people can receive their COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as their influenza vaccine. For more information, refer to the ATAGI clinical guidance on the use of COVID-19 vaccine in Australia.
Reimbursement for vaccination service providers
Vaccination providers will be able to seek reimbursement from Queensland Health for all brands of privately purchased influenza vaccines. There will be a fixed rate reimbursement fee of $25 (excluding GST) for each privately-purchased administered influenza vaccine during the life of the Program.
Vaccination providers who would otherwise charge patients for NIP influenza vaccine administration, and are not able to claim for a Medical Benefit Schedule (MBS) fee or National Immunisation Program Vaccinations In Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program reimbursement, will be eligible to claim a vaccine administration reimbursement fee of $18.85 (excluding GST) for each NIP influenza vaccine administered for the life of the Program.
For example, this means that community pharmacies can seek reimbursement for administering NIP-funded influenza vaccine to children aged 6 months to less than five years of age, as this cohort does not attract NIPVIP reimbursement.
Note that eligibility for free vaccines under the NIP is linked to eligibility for Medicare benefits and that this reimbursement arrangement is solely for the providers who would otherwise charge Queenslanders for NIP vaccine administration.
Vaccination providers who administer a privately purchased influenza vaccine for people who are not eligible for NIP influenza vaccine, including people who are not Medicare eligible, are able to claim a single reimbursement fee of $25 (excluding GST) to cover the cost of the vaccine and the administration.
Note, there is no intent for General Practitioners to change the way they currently bill for influenza vaccination consultation as a function of this Program.
Vaccination providers can use the decision tool below to determine what reimbursement pathway can be claimed under the 2024 Free Flu Vaccination Program
| Question Id (Enter as a capital Q and a number no spaces) | Question or Statement | Response | Go to Question or Outcome (based on response selected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Is the individual a Queensland resident who is a Medicare eligible person | Yes | Q2 |
| No | Outcome1 | ||
| Q2 | Is the individual eligible under the NIP | Yes | Q3 |
| No | Outcome1 | ||
| Q3 | Are you a vaccination provider who would usually charge individuals for NIP influenza vaccine administration | Yes | Q4 |
| No | Outcome2 | ||
| Q4 | Can you claim a MBS or NIPVIP reimbursement fee for NIP influenza vaccine administered to this individual | Yes | Outcome4 |
| No | Outcome3 |
Private reimbursement
Claim reimbursement for privately purchased and administered influenza vaccines through Queensland Health ($25, excluding GST). Note that eligibility for free vaccines under the NIP is linked to eligibility for Medicare benefits
Provide NIP influenza vaccination as usual
No reimbursement available under the 2024 Free Flu Vaccination Program, provide NIP influenza vaccination as usual
Claim reimbursement for each NIP influenza vaccine administered through Queensland Health ($18.85, excluding GST)
No reimbursement available under the 2024 Free Flu Vaccination Program
Providers cannot claim reimbursement for private stock not administered.
The reimbursement of influenza vaccines will only apply to vaccines administered during the 2024 Program.
To obtain reimbursement for administered influenza vaccine, please use one of the following documents, ensuring you have met all submission requirements.
- Reimbursement for GPs (PDF 391 kB)
- Reimbursement for pharmacies - In 2024, community pharmacies will have the option to either:
- claim reimbursement through the Pharmacy Guild of Australia or
- claim reimbursement from Queensland Health (PDF 295 kB)
- Reimbursement for other providers (PDF 265 kB)
- Reimbursement for individuals (patients) (PDF 485 kB)
Submissions for reimbursement should be made no more frequently than fortnightly. Submissions will close on 30 September 2024 and requests received after this date will not be paid.
Having trouble with seeking reimbursement? Email immunisation@health.qld.gov.au
How the reimbursements will work
Reimbursements will be paid on a regular basis, and Queensland Health will endeavour to reimburse as soon as possible upon receipt of the required information. Delays may occur due to the volume of requests. Providing the correct documentation at the time of the initial request will minimise delays in the validation and reimbursement process.
Queensland Health may also verify the accuracy of the information in the reimbursement claim in other ways, including accessing immunisation registers and requesting/obtaining information from suppliers/vaccine recipients.
More information
For further information, please email immunisation@health.qld.gov.au