Local children between six months and five years old are now eligible for free flu jabs this year.

The $3.5 million influenza vaccination program offered by the NSW government follows last year’s severe flu season. Last year our community, like many in NSW, was hit hard by the flu season.

So this announcement means more than 400,000 children across the state are eligible to receive better protection not only for them, but also for their families and the wider community.

We all know how horrendous the flu can be and this is especially hard on the smallest members of our families.

Little kids are also most likely to spread the flu so a free flu jab will not only keep them safe, but will protect others they come into contact with. NSW childhood vaccination rates had increased by 6.3 per cent since 2010, to 93.9 per cent in 2017.

Children who have never had a flu vaccination will need two doses, one month apart. The vaccine will cover four strains of influenza virus, two A strains and two B strains, likely to be circulating this winter.

Last year there were more than 12,000 confirmed cases of influenza in children under five, with many more likely to not to have been tested.

For more information, see health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation

$17 million reasons to improve public reserves

In the next round of the NSW government’s Public Reserves Management Fund program, which opens early next month, there will be $17 million available.

The program supports a wide range of activities that help maintain, protect and improve Crown reserves.

I encourage all Crown reserve managers to apply for a share of $17 million for any repairs and maintenance projects, pest and weed control, new recreational infrastructure or environmental initiatives.

Crown reserves include local parks, community halls, regional showgrounds and holiday parks, which are all vital to the social, cultural, sporting, economic and recreational life of communities across NSW.

Last year more than $129,000 was allocated to local public reserves at Telegraph Point, Laurieton, Hannam Vale and Johns River.

Applications for the 2018/19 Public Reserves Management Fund Program will open Monday, February 5, and close Friday, March 9, 2018.

Information on how to apply will be available on the Department of Industry - Lands website crownland.nsw.gov.au