Community pharmacy boosts national flu response

Community pharmacies across Australia played a significant role in this year’s successful vaccination program which has helped deliver the lowest rates of influenza since 2013.

Health Minister Greg Hunt has confirmed a record 11 million Australians got a flu jab this year, nearly a third more than the previous year.

To date, only 52,000 cases of influenza have been reported, compared with nearly 250,000 cases in the same period last year.

There was also unprecedented demand for influenza vaccine early in the 2018 season, which saw the Government secure an additional 1.3 million doses of the vaccine for the National Immunisation Program, State programs and the private market.

In a statement issued 8 December, Mr Hunt said collaboration between GPs and other vaccination providers across Australia, including community pharmacies, encouraged the uptake of flu vaccinations this year.

The National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, George Tambassis, said:

“Community pharmacies are proud of the contribution we have made to this public health success story. And we can do more – National Immunisation Program vaccines for influenza high-risk patient groups are currently available through community pharmacies in only two States – Victoria and Western Australia. These vital vaccines should be available through community pharmacies in all States and Territories to provide equal access for all Australians through their local pharmacy and pharmacist vaccinator.”