Aussies: 'get free swine flu jab'

AAP

THERE are plenty of free swine flu vaccines available which are good to go for the flu season, the federal government says.

The federal government spent $120 million last year on 21 million doses of Panvax, to target the influenza (A)H1N1 strain, known as swine flu.

It has so far distributed about seven million doses, and a further 240,000 pre-filled syringes to infants.

Health Minister Nicola Roxon has urged Australians to take up the free vaccine ahead of this year's flu season, which officially starts in May.

She said the vaccine had a shelf-life of 12 months.

"We really are urging all Australians to consider taking themselves and their families down to the GP and getting themselves vaccinated," she told ABC Radio.

"It (the vaccine) has quite a long shelf life, it can be provided all through this flu season and still be effective."

In 2009, there were 37,636 cases of swine flu in Australia, including 191 associated deaths.