Thousands of Queenslanders have rolled up their sleeves to receive free flu vaccinations as the state battles the spread of the virulent infection.
Infections rates among teenagers have spiked after the return from school holidays as authorities plead with people to get vaccinated - particularly as the severe B strain takes hold.
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said there had been a noted increase in flu infections in patients aged five to 17.
"Even though flu rates generally are now decreasing ... we've seen 114, five to 17-year-olds hospitalised in the last few weeks," she said on Thursday.
"Only three per cent of them were vaccinated, so please, please, please, it's still free - make a booking to get the kids vaccinated."
The vaccination program in Queensland will go until the end of August, with more than 53,000 people lining up for the free jab.
Western Australia implemented a free influenza vaccine program in May and June, while other states and territories provide complimentary jabs for at-risk groups.
Influenza B, which has overtaken influenza A as the dominant strain, was associated with more severe disease in children, many of whom had not been exposed to influenza because of COVID-19 restrictions in the past three years.
Warnings about the risk of the flu to children hit home when an 11-year-old girl died on the Sunshine Coast after contracting the virus.
A student on the NSW Central Coast also died in July from the virus.
Ms Fentiman acknowledged this season's strain was particularly severe with young people extremely vulnerable.
"A lot of young people won't have any natural immunity because the last time we had an outbreak of influenza B was in 2019," the minister said.
"We've already surpassed the rates of influenza B in Queenslanders since that time."
As the countdown to the annual Royal Queensland Show continues to opening day on August 12, Ms Fentiman said it was vital for people to get protected.
National health chiefs met last week to brainstorm strategies to combat infection rates and overcome growing rates of vaccination fatigue.
"We've agreed that we will meet later this year following the flu season so we can really drill down into the numbers and come up with a comprehensive national strategy," Ms Fentiman said.
"We also talked about a nationally consistent campaign to increase immunisation - we are seeing a drop in vaccination rates and immunisation generally, not just with flu."
