South Australians could access free flu vaccinations for the entire month of April under a new election commitment from the State Liberals, as early flu case numbers surge to record levels.
Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn says the proposal would open flu shots to every South Australian at no cost, should a Hurn Liberal Government be elected, framing the plan as a preventative measure aimed at easing pressure across the health system.
The announcement comes as South Australia records its worst January for flu cases on record, with 904 confirmed infections last month alone. That figure compares to 613 cases in January last year and just two cases during the same period in 2022. Health authorities have warned the early spike could signal a severe flu season unless action is taken.
Hurn says the proposed April vaccination blitz would benefit families and hospitals alike, arguing that broader uptake could reduce avoidable hospital presentations while also easing household costs. “Not only is this common sense move about protecting families and taking pressure off the health system, but it could save a family of four $100 in the process,” she said.
The State Liberals say similar free vaccination programs have been rolled out interstate and could be implemented immediately for the 2026 flu season if the party forms government. Hurn also positioned the policy as part of a broader health platform, calling on the current government to adopt measures that could deliver short-term relief for stretched hospitals and emergency departments.
Shadow Minister for Health and Wellbeing Heidi Girolamo said free flu vaccinations could provide immediate support for frontline staff, particularly as hospitals continue to manage ramping and workforce pressures.
“In recent months, we’ve continued to see staff run off their feet in a broken system,” Girolamo said, pointing to ongoing challenges including long elective surgery waiting lists and extended delays for patients arriving at emergency departments.
The Liberals argue the flu vaccination blitz is one element of a wider package designed to stabilise the public health system, particularly through workforce attraction and retention. Policies already announced include incentives to attract interstate and overseas GPs, scholarship support for nurses and midwives, retention bonuses for long-serving SA Health staff, and up-front relocation payments for health professionals moving to South Australia.
Additional measures include scrapping GP payroll tax arrangements the party says have driven up out-of-pocket costs, alongside an after-hours GP access trial designed to improve access outside standard clinic hours and reduce demand on emergency rooms.
With flu season approaching earlier than usual, the proposal places preventative healthcare firmly into the election conversation, as both major parties face growing pressure to address hospital capacity, workforce shortages, and rising demand across South Australia’s health system.
