The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys and Townsville Hospital and Health Service are on the same team when it comes to preventing influenza outbreaks in the region this flu season.

Young Cowboys Jaxson Paulo and Xavier Kerrisk joined Townsville Public Health Unit Physician Dr Kate Murton at NRL Cowboys House as the students lined up for their annual Term 2 flu shot.

Paulo, who recently made his first-grade debut, said getting the flu during footy season just wasn’t an option.

“It’s hard enough to be at your physical and mental best without being sick, so anything we can do to avoid going down with the flu is definitely worth it,” Paulo said.

“Xavier and I just chilled out with the students as they waited to get their shots, some of them were a bit nervous to start with but afterwards they all said it was a breeze, and they didn’t know what they were worried about.”

Townsville public health physician Dr Kate Murton said the annual flu shot remained the best defence against influenza.

“Flu is a serious disease in our community, and as we hit the winter months and cooler weather we expect to see more and more cases of it,” Dr Murton said.

“The flu shot is a safe, effective and affordable way to protect yourself, friends, family and the vulnerable in our community and we strongly encourage everyone who can get vaccinated to do it as soon as possible.

“The annual flu shot is free for Queenslanders at eligible pharmacies or at GPs and the vaccine is readily available across Townsville and North Queensland.”

Cowboys Community Foundation CEO Fiona Pelling said vaccinations were a key part of the NRL Cowboys House Student Wellbeing Program.

“The privilege and responsibility of being entrusted by families and communities to care for more than 100 young people is always front of mind at NRL Cowboys House,” Fiona said.

“An important element of our work here is around supporting the physical health and wellbeing of our students and ensuring their flu shots are up to date is part of that,” she said.

“We’re also grateful to Chempro Chemist, who is a Friend of the House, for coming onsite to NRL Cowboys House and Hutchinson Builders Centre to provide our team members with their yearly flu jab.

“It means we can rest easier during flu season, knowing we’ve done what we can to ensure the House community is protected as much as possible from what can be a devastating illness particularly as they prepare to head home to their remote communities for the school holidays.”

All Queensland residents 6 months or older can access influenza vaccine at no cost in 2025 under the Queensland Government’s Free Flu Vaccination Program which runs till 30 September.

Visit health.qld.gov.au for more information.