Have you heard of the Queensland government’s free flu vaccination program?
The free jab will be available for the next six weeks. This is how the initiative works.
The state government announced Monday that all Queensland residents between the ages of six and 64 could get a free flu shot from their GP or pharmacy from May 24 to June 30.
It comes when the state is facing a severe outbreak of influenza A, with more than 7,800 cases reported this year.
The outbreak has prompted Queensland Acting Health Director Peter Aitken to urge people to wear masks again.
Pharmacies
Most pharmacies offer flu vaccine reservations on their individual websites.
If your nearest pharmacy is a member of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, you can find the next reservation available near the new Guild website www.qldfreevax.com.au.
To find your nearest available vaccination appointment, enter your suburb and the website shows upcoming bookings available at nearby community pharmacies.
Queensland is facing a severe flu outbreak. (Supplied)
Queensland Australia Pharmacy Guild President Chris Owen said there had been a huge increase in the last three days since the free flu vaccination program was announced.
A spokesman for Pharmacy Guild Australia urged people to be patient, with the offer of free vaccines open until the end of June.
Medical practices
In most cases, you can book an appointment with your local GP online through their individual website or by calling the clinic.
Queensland Australian Medical Association general practice board chair Maria Boulton said people could book their GP in the same way as every year.
He said GP clinics had previously requested vaccines, so they had enough stock of vaccines and continued to ask for stock where needed.
“It’s really essential for vulnerable people, the elderly, young children, people with chronic illnesses, they are the ones who have to make sure they get a vaccine, we don’t want them to get lost,” said Dr. Boulton. .
“We need them to show up and get their vaccines, they’re so important and they’re in a hurry for everyone to have one, and it’s important for everyone to have one, but we can’t forget about vulnerable patients.”
Who is eligible?
Anyone in Queensland between the ages of six and 64 is eligible for a free flu shot according to the state government scheme.
Nothing changes for anyone who is already eligible for a free flu vaccine under the National Immunization Program, such as children between the ages of six months and five, people 65 and older, Aboriginal and islanders. of Torres Strait, pregnant women and people. with medical conditions.
Will there be enough supply of vaccine?
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said Queensland Health had consulted with top representatives who had said there was an adequate supply of flu vaccines.
“We have told GPs and pharmacies that if there is a shortage of stock, we are happy to supplement it and do our best to get the vaccines out, especially in the regions if they have slower supply chains to make sure that they don’t end, ”he said.
Owen said the guild believed pharmacies could meet demand.
“I talked to a lot of manufacturers and wholesalers earlier in the week and they didn’t seem to have any long-term concerns,” he said.
“But they did say that getting that stock to pharmacies and GP clinics in the early days could be a challenge, so that’s probably what we’re experiencing now, just a temporary shortage.”
Wait for the reservation
Ms D’Ath told state parliament earlier this week that people had been flooding GPs and pharmacies across the state for appointments.
The announcement of flu-free infections shocked GPs and some community pharmacies with some news about the vaccine program through the news, social media and patients.
Phones sounded hot for reservations, but some medical practice staff were unsure if they could administer privately purchased vaccines that were already in stock.
They were worried that they might be out of pocket, but Queensland Health confirmed that they would be reimbursed.
The Medical Association, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australian Association of Practice Managers have said that medical internships should have been reported on the program before it was announced.