Connolly Primary School has partnered with Kinross Pharmacy to offer optional after-school flu clinics at the school with the aim of making flu vaccinations more convenient for students, families and staff.
School principal Rebecca Appleton said the partnership provided a simple and easy way for families to look after their health during the busy winter period.
“At Connolly Primary School, we have a strong sense of community and many of our families are local,” Ms Appleton 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.”
Camera IconConnolly Primary School has partnered with Kinross Pharmacy to offer optional after-school flu clinics. Credit: Supplied
Through the State Government’s free influenza vaccination program, flu vaccines are free 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 safe and effective needle-free alternative to the traditional injectable influenza vaccine that provides the same protection against influenza A and B.
Education and Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton visited the Connolly after-school clinic this week to see the program first-hand.
Camera IconEducation and Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton at Connolly Primary School, which has partnered with Kinross Pharmacy to offer optional after-school flu vaccination clinics. Credit: Supplied
Ms Winton said partnerships between local schools and community pharmacists helped remove the need for extra appointments and strengthened connections 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 said the initiative was about accessibility 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.
Influenza cases in WA in 2026 are so far significantly lower after a record-breaking 2025 flu season.
As of the end of May, WA Health data reported cases remained in the “low range” for this time of year, with 319 cases recorded in May compared to 1824 in May 2025.
Vaccination figures from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance showed that as of June 14, just 14.9 per cent of people aged 18 to 50 in WA had been vaccinated against influenza, while uptake among those aged over 65 sat at 53.7 per cent.
The vaccination rate for children aged 6 to 12 years old was 15.4 per cent.