Southern Metropolitan Region
Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (13:06): (847) My constituency question is for the Minister for Health. Currently local governments receive a $10.94 subsidy to administer the flu vaccine, whereas pharmacies receive an $18.85 subsidy for the same service. I recently spoke to Boroondara council about this issue, and they are concerned that councils receive less than 60 per cent of the rebate for providing the same service. Victorian council immunisation programs provide important services, especially for young children and those getting vaccinated within school programs. These programs help keep our communities healthy. The government must ensure that councils receive the appropriate funding to deliver this service, so the question I ask is: will the minister commit to increasing flu vaccine funding to councils to achieve parity with pharmacists?