ONLY 15 per cent of Far Northern residents have been vaccinated against swine flu, with doctors fearing the region may be ill-equipped for future outbreaks.

Queensland Health has released figures revealing the disappointing uptake of the H1N1 vaccine, which was rolled out across the state from September last year.

Despite the health department insisting that all Queenslanders vaccinate against swine flu, 34,050 residents – 2 per cent more than the state average – within the Cairns, Cassowary Coast and Tablelands regional council areas received jabs for the virus.

It comes as health experts predict the second wave of human swine flu could hit Australia’s shores as early as next month.

Dr Alan Hampson, World Health Organisation consultant and chairman of the Influenza Specialist Group, said vaccination uptake figures for the region were worrying.

"If we have an early outbreak, people will be at risk, and they’ve got a diminishing window of opportunity to actually get their flu shot now," he said.

Find out more about the Queensland Government's H1N1 vaccination program.

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