Charlotte Varcoe
FREE flu vaccines are inserting pharmacies in yet one more predicament with a Mount Gambier pharmacist stating there was no prior communication from the State Government.
State Premier Peter Malinauskas introduced final week that every one South Australians could be eligible for the free vaccine till June 30.
The jabs can be funded by way of a subsidy scheme for the State’s common practitioners and pharmacists and is anticipated to value $4.9m.
Terry White Chemist pharmacist supervisor Angeline Becher mentioned the announcement was a constructive for the group, nonetheless higher communication with well being professionals was wanted.
Ms Becher mentioned having the announcement made on a weekend, with no prior communication and no further inventory, positioned pharmacies in a good spot.
“Most of the flu vaccine stock at the moment may be strained because of Queensland announcing its free flu vaccine a week ahead of South Australia and a lot of stock is getting diverted to support that,” Ms Becher mentioned.
“The initiative is great however because many families will now be able to spend the money on something else and it is fair to say it will also take some financial pressure off.”
The pharmacy supervisor mentioned all through May alone workers had administered about 500 flu vaccines, together with residents at nursing houses, with bookings additionally filling up quick.
“I am glad we have been able to vaccinate the nursing homes because the residents are the most vulnerable,” Ms Becher mentioned.
Believing flu vaccines ought to be free yearly, Ms Becher mentioned the initiative would assist forestall an overload on the healthcare system, particularly all through winter.
“The vaccines really should be free, especially for our most vulnerable and those in healthcare settings,” she mentioned.
“This additionally consists of faculty aged kids as a result of in addition they want it too.
“This winter is predicted to be a bad year for flu cases and it really is time to get vaccinated, continue hand hygiene and look after your health.”
The free flu vaccination program may also allow pharmacies to vaccinate kids aged 5 to 9 years previous, a change from the earlier program for youngsters above the age of 10.