Connolly Primary School has partnered with Kinross Pharmacy to offer optional after-school flu vaccination clinics on school grounds. The initiative aims to make flu shots more convenient for students, their families, and school staff.
Convenient Health Support for Families
School principal Rebecca Appleton emphasized the community-focused nature of the program. “At Connolly Primary School, we have a strong sense of community and many of our families are local,” she said. “We know winter can bring increased illness, so offering an optional flu clinic on site after school felt like a practical way to support families in looking after their health, without adding extra pressure to busy schedules.”
The clinics are part of the State Government’s free influenza vaccination program, which provides free flu vaccines for people aged 12 to 64 years who are not otherwise eligible, until June 30. Children aged two to under 12 years can receive FluMist, a needle-free alternative that offers protection against influenza A and B.
Government Support and Community Response
Education and Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton visited the Connolly after-school clinic to see the program in action. She praised the partnership for removing the need for extra appointments and strengthening ties between schools and community health services. “I’m really pleased with the positives this partnership has brought to the school and is another way of keeping the community healthy during winter,” Ms Winton said. “We know last year’s flu season hit hard on our communities, and on our hospitals, which is why our Government has made it easier than ever for Western Australians to protect themselves and their families.”
Pharmacist Keiran Batavia highlighted the accessibility benefits for families. “We’re finding a lot of parents and children struggle to get out to the pharmacy, so making it more accessible allows them to get it done within their routine so it’s not a hassle or a chore, rather just a part of their daily workflow,” Mr Batavia said.
Flu Trends and Vaccination Rates
Influenza cases in Western Australia in 2026 are significantly lower so far compared to the record-breaking 2025 season. As of the end of May, WA Health data reported 319 cases in May, down from 1,824 in May 2025. However, vaccination rates remain low. According to the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, as of June 14, only 14.9 per cent of people aged 18 to 50 in WA had been vaccinated, while uptake among those over 65 was 53.7 per cent. The vaccination rate for children aged 6 to 12 years stood at 15.4 per cent.
