The State Government has announced a new drive through immunisation clinic for West Australians older than 65 to receive their annual flu vaccine.

From Tuesday 19 May, the free service will run for four days out of the undercover Crown carpark in Burswood.

According to the Department of Health, people aged 65 and over are at a higher risk of serious complications from influenza.

Health minister Roger Cook says he believes this year, it is more important than ever for people aged 65 and over to get immunised against influenza.

“Flu vaccinations not only lowers your risk of contracting influenza, but also those around you – whether it be your family, friends or the people at your local supermarket,” he says.

Department of Health spokesperson Laura Tomlinson says if seniors are unable to drive themselves, they are permitted to be a passenger and still receive the vaccine.

“Bookings for the drive-through clinics are not required, so at this stage it is not known if demand will be significant.”

Perth senior Esme McGroder, from Menora, says she thinks it would be an effective way of doing it in this climate, rather than everyone going out and to the doctor individually.

“When you’re in my position and you can’t drive, you’d have to get a taxi down but yes, I could still do the drive-through vaccine alright,” Mrs McGroder says.

“I think it’s very important that everybody has [the flu vaccine] because in view of the world situation, if you don’t have it at all and you get the flu… it’s going to be much more serious.

“Immunisation has definitely made the world a better place to live in.”

For more information about the drive-through clinic, click here.