TerryWhite Chemmart confirms flu vac supply
Leading pharmacy group TerryWhite Chemmart is continuing to administer flu vaccinations and take bookings despite a current shortage announced by federal health authorities.
On Monday 20 May, Australia’s Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Hobbs, noted a surge in vaccine demands of 25 per cent over last year was causing an
Australia-wide shortage of this year’s flu vaccine.
This is despite May being the ideal month to receive a vaccination according to the Australian Medical Association.
TerryWhite Chemmart Chief Executive Officer Anthony White said people tended to wait until too late in the season to vaccinate themselves.
"Many people hold off getting vaccinated until they notice others around them showing symptoms or staying away from work," Mr White said.
"By that stage it may be too late to get the full benefit of the vaccination or, in this year’s case, may mean it is too hard to source a supplier that can administer the vaccine conveniently.
"We have ensured we have plenty of supplies of this year’s quadrivalent vaccine as well as booking slots for what we anticipate will be an extremely high level of demand over the next month."
Last year's influenza season struck down almost 250,000 Australians of all ages with many more cases of hospitalisation and fatalities than in previous years.
Absenteeism was estimated to have cost employers almost $100m in lost productivity, with almost 100,000 workers more than normal taking leave due to the flu.
Mr White said TerryWhite Chemmart had issued over 100,000 flu vouchers to employees on behalf of almost 500 employers that were looking for a quick, easy and convenient way to help protect their employees’ health during winter.
"Our vouchers are issued electronically so that employers can simply email them to workers who then book online and take the voucher to one of our pharmacies that is most convenient," he said.
"Alternatively, they can just drop in to get a vaccination at a time and location most suitable to them."
Appointments can still be made online via TerryWhite Chemmart’s website https://www.terrywhitechemmart.com.au/health-programs/flu-vaccinations/. ---
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