Funding boost to protect heath of Indigenous West Australians

The WA Government will boost expanded influenza vaccination activities ahead of the peak winter period through a $1 million investment to participating GP clinics and Aboriginal Medical Services across Western Australia.

The initiative will support primary care providers to deliver additional flu vaccination clinics and proactively contact patients who may be overdue for vaccination.

More than 500 GP practices and Aboriginal Medical Services have registered for the program, which includes a strong focus on reaching those most at risk of severe illness, including older adults, Aboriginal people, pregnant women, young children, and people with underlying medical conditions.

Winter preparedness measures

The $1 million investment follows the recent launch of the Government’s 2026 Free Influenza Vaccine Program and Be Wise, Immunise campaign, helping make flu vaccines more accessible to all Western Australians during May and June.

It also forms part of the Government’s broader winter preparedness measures to reduce the impact of seasonal illness, protect vulnerable Western Australians, and ease pressure on hospitals and emergency departments.

Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton said the funding would support GP clinics and Aboriginal Medical Services to identify and contact people who may be overdue for their vaccination, while also delivering additional vaccination clinics across the State.

Royal Australian College of GPs Chair Ramya Raman.

“Combined with our free flu vaccination program and Be Wise, Immunise campaign, this initiative will help ensure more Western Australians are protected this winter,” she said.

Royal Australian College of GPs Chair Ramya Raman said her organisation welcomed the Government’s practice grants to support flu clinics this winter.

“We have long advocated for targeted funding to support practices delivering flu vaccinations, and this investment will help ensure communities can access vaccinations during peak demand,” she said.

“General practice plays a central role in preventive health and vaccination delivery. Supporting practices to run flu clinics protects patients, eases pressure on hospitals, and strengthens Western Australia’s public health response.”