Boost for pharmacists during 'flu season

Central Coast residents are being urged to protect themselves against serious illness by booking in for their influenza vaccine ahead of the 2024 flu season. People in aged care and disability homes are being funded pharmacists for the first time to provide free 'flu and other National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccines at the homes.

24 April 2024

 

THE National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy Program (NIPVIP) ensures more Australians have convenient and affordable access to lifesaving vaccines with no out of pocket expenses.

 

The new support for pharmacists will commence on Monday 29 April ensuring some of our most vulnerable Australians are given free vaccines to protect them from COVID-19 and influenza ahead of winter.

 

From 1 July 2024 NIPVIP payments will also be indexed in line with MBS indexation. Funding for the offsite expansion of the Program will be available until June 2026, with continuation subject to review.

 

Given the unpredictable nature of the flu it is important Australians book an appointment to receive their annual flu vaccine. Everyone 6 months or over is recommended to get a flu vaccine each year, and flu vaccines can be given with COVID-19 vaccines.

 

Reported cases of the flu to date in Australia are 40% higher than this time last year.

 

The latest respiratory surveillance report shows more than 4,700 people in NSW were diagnosed with influenza in the last four weeks, a 16 per cent increase compared with the previous year.

 

NSW hospitals received 480 influenza-like illness admissions between the 6 January and 14 April 2024. This is compared with 284 during the same period in 2023.

 

Last year 39 people died from the flu in Australia – and of these, 9 were children less than 16 years of age. This was higher than the number of influenza-associated deaths in children in 2022 and in many pre-COVID-19 pandemic years.

 

Although fewer Australians protected themselves against influenza with a vaccine last year, data indicates last year’s flu vaccines were highly effective. For those who were vaccinated, they reduced the risk of hospitalisation with flu by 68% and the need to visit a GP due to flu by 64%.

 

Premier Chris Minns said “Influenza is highly contagious, and it can be life-threatening, especially for vulnerable groups such as young children, pregnant women, older adults and people who have chronic medical conditions.

 

“Getting the flu jab is the best way to protect yourself and the wider community.”

 

NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park said “Influenza has started to increase in some parts of Australia, and it’s expected to start to increase across NSW soon, so it is very important you get vaccinated to protect yourself and others as you don’t want to end up in hospital or put vulnerable community members at risk.

 

“Everyone six months and older is recommended to get a flu vaccine and these are available through GPs for any age group, as well as through pharmacies for everyone aged five years and over.”

 

The NSW Government is encouraging people to book in for the influenza vaccine through a local GP or pharmacist ahead of winter.

 

The flu vaccine is free through the NIP for people most at risk of complications, including:

 

• children aged 6 months to less than 5 years

 

• pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy

 

• First Nations people aged 6 months and over

 

• people aged 65 years and over

 

• Those with serious health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, immune disorders, obesity, severe asthma, kidney, heart, lung or liver disease.

 

Federal Minister for Health Mark Butler said “Community pharmacists play a vital role in our healthcare system – and they will play an even bigger role by administering free, lifesaving vaccines to eligible patients living in aged care homes and disability homes.

 

“We know vaccines can save lives and prevent us from becoming seriously unwell.

 

“I urge all Australians to book in and get flu and COVID vaccines to protect themselves before we hit winter."

 

NSW Health also recommends considering getting a COVID-19 booster at the same time as the flu vaccination.

 

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation’s latest COVID-19 vaccine advice recommends:

 

• a COVID-19 vaccination every six months for all adults aged 75 years and over,

 

• a COVID-19 vaccination every 12 months for adults aged 65 – 74 years, and adults aged 18 – 64 with severe immunocompromise; these people can consider a vaccination every 6 months,

 

• a COVID-19 vaccination every 12 months can be considered for all other adults aged 18 – 64 years, and those aged 5 -18 years with severe immunocompromise.

 

Some steps to help protect ourselves and our loved ones from COVID-19 and flu include:

 

• Stay up to date with recommended influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations.

 

• Stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms and wear a mask if you need to leave home.

 

• Gather outdoors or in well-ventilated indoor spaces.

 

• Talk with your doctor now if you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 or influenza to make a plan about what to do if you get sick, including what test to take, and discussing if you are eligible for antiviral medicines.

 

• Don’t visit people who are at higher risk of severe illness if you have cold or flu symptoms or have tested positive to COVID-19 or influenza.

 

• Consider taking a rapid antigen test before visiting vulnerable loved ones, particularly when COVID-19 transmission is moderate or high in the community.

 

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said “Last year, we saw an increase in ED presentations among young children with some being admitted to intensive care with life-threatening complications from the flu. We don’t want to see a repeat this year, so we are reminding families to book their children aged under 5 years in for their free flu vaccine now.

 

“It is a very quick and easy process to book in with your local doctor or pharmacist, who can also administer your COVID-19 vaccine at the same time if recommended. This simple act can help you and your family stay healthy this winter.”

 

Appointments can be booked with your doctor or general practice, at community health centres, Aboriginal health services, and pharmacies.

 

More information on influenza and the COVID-19 booster vaccines can be found on the NSW Government website.