by Renee Wood
Victorians will be able to book in for free flu vaccinations during the month of June after the State Government announced a $33 million dollar package on 31 May.
Cases of influenza have increased by more than 30 per cent in the past week with the opportunity aimed at reducing a barrier to Victorians getting the vaccine.
It’s hoped the rise in vaccination uptake will help to reduce the number of cases and ease pressure on the already struggling hospital system.
Health Minister Martin Foley said this will be the first time in two years that we will face a real flu season.
“We need all Victorians to roll up their sleeves and help protect their loved ones and our health system by getting vaccinated,” he said.
The vaccine generally comes at a cost, and is only offered free to children under five, people over 65, pregnant women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people at risk with medical conditions.
Some 3000 clinics are taking part in the program and GPs and pharmacies will be reimbursed for vaccines that are administered to anyone who isn’t usually eligible for free jabs.
Extra grants of $2000 are available for immunisation providers to help meet the demand such as for rostering more staff and longer hours.
The news comes as other states also implement free influenza vaccinations.
Chirnside Park Medical Clinic Practice Manager Farah Aziz said it’s a great initiative to help more Victorians get vaccinated but there has been little communication on how to accommodate the program.
Ms Aziz said her clinic has received no communication from the Health Department or the Primary Health Network.
“There hasn’t been much communication with the Victorian GP clinics – to say this is the plan, this is where you’re going to get your stock and this is the best way to go about it,” Ms Aziz said.
Ms Aziz said the demand is there with the clinics currently servicing 30 vaccinations a day, however there may be an issue with stock now the announcement has been made.
“I actually don’t know if we will get that increased amount that we put in today, we should be getting it hopefully end of this week if not next week so we can actually cater for the demand that will be coming,” she said.
“I have no doubt that the demand will be there and the uptake will be massive but it’s going to be, I think, a supply issue now.”
The month of June has been targeted to make vaccinations effective and to hold strong immunity for three to four months over the winter period.
Ms Aziz fears this will be one of the worst flu seasons, which is already being reflected in local cases – the clinic is currently seeing up to 30 patients a day with respiratory symptoms.
“It’s multiple [viruses], it’s just not the flu – it’s really bad gastro in kids and this really bad wheeze happening in kids… no doubt this is going to be by far one of the worst flu seasons ever.”
A shortage in nurses is another battle the sector is still facing and the $2000 grants might not go the distance in supporting immunisers with the rise in demand.
“…nurses are completely leaving the entire industry because they are so burnt out with Covid. The reason a lot of the hospitals are overrun are because there’s not enough staff.”
