A SHORTAGE of the flu vaccination has hit the south-west.
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Pharmacies and GP clinics have reported a strong demand this season and have encouraged residents to keep trying to get the vaccine.
Chemist Warehouse at Gateway Plaza ran out of the vaccine last week and Pharmacist Min Jeon said he was waiting to hear from his supplier if and when more would be made available.
“We were put on a back order with the supplier last week,” he said.
“People should keep trying, it’s definitely worthwhile.”
Murray Fry Amcal Pharmacy owner Sarah Baker said the pharmacy had run out of the stock but was expecting a limited supply in the coming days.
“It has been much higher than previous years and I think that’s due to the deaths and the number of cases last year,” she said.
Artz and Kay Pharmacy in Warrnambool was one of the few in the city to still have the vaccine and Pharmacist Josephine McDowall said it was good that so many people had taken up the opportunity because it would help increase ‘herd immunity.’
“The main thing is that it will help protect everyone,” she said.
“There is really good value in the vaccine.
“Perhaps the supplier didn’t realise what the demand for the vaccine would be.”
Monaghan’s Pharmacy provided their last flu shot on Wednesday.
Pharmacist Cash Yan said the demand had been much higher than usual which she said was partly due to increased advertising.
“Pharmacies have advertised a lot more and pharmacies can also now give the injection,” she said.
The pharmacy still had limited stock and Ms McDowall encouraged people to continue to try their GP or pharmacy.
“If pharmacies can get bookings they can organise how much to put on back order,” she said.
Australia’s Acting Chief Medical Officer Tony Hobbs said an unprecedented demand for seasonal influenza vaccination this year had impacted the availability of supplies.
“According to states and territories, compared to last year, there has been a 25-30% increase in demand,” he said.
A Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson said strong demand for flu vaccinations was not unexpected given last year’s flu season, which was one of the worst in Victoria’s history.
“For this reason we have asked our vaccination providers, including council run programs, to prioritise flu vaccine for the most vulnerable in the community and those eligible for free vaccines as part of the National Immunisation Program or through the state-based six month to under five group,” they said.
“All councils should have received vaccines for their program from the beginning of May."
Last year in Victoria there were more than 3,941 reports of children hit by the flu, compared with 871 the year prior.