Queensland doctors report flu jab plunge - Grenfell Record and Bland Advertiser

Queensland doctors say demand for flu shots has plunged, despite authorities pleading with people to protect themselves. The Australian Medical Association of Queensland says clinics have reported a "drastic reduction" in the number of flu shots compared with the same time last year. But it doesn't have any data on how severe the problem is or whether people might simply be heading to pharmacies to get their shots. AMAQ president Dr Dilip Dhupelia says people must book their shots to make sure the state doesn't emerge from the coronavirus crisis into a flu crisis. "We have plenty of flu vaccinations available, we have made general practice safe for you to receive your flu vaccination," he told reporters on Tuesday. Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said people should act before the peak flu period, from June to September. "Now is the time to get vaccinated so you have immunity for when increased cases of flu may start to circulate," she said. "So far we've seen very low numbers of flu because everyone is socially distancing." Just nine people were diagnosed with influenza last week, a mere fraction of the 900 cases health officials would expect each week at this time of year. AAP has sought comment on flu shot trends from the Pharmacy Guild of Australia. In Queensland, pharmacies can administer flu vaccines to anyone except children aged under 10. In 2014, when Queensland first trialled pharmacy flu shots, the AMA warned against it saying pharmacists should not pretend to be doctors. Australian Associated Press

Queensland doctors say demand for flu shots has plunged, despite authorities pleading with people to protect themselves.

The Australian Medical Association of Queensland says clinics have reported a "drastic reduction" in the number of flu shots compared with the same time last year.

But it doesn't have any data on how severe the problem is or whether people might simply be heading to pharmacies to get their shots.

AMAQ president Dr Dilip Dhupelia says people must book their shots to make sure the state doesn't emerge from the coronavirus crisis into a flu crisis.

"We have plenty of flu vaccinations available, we have made general practice safe for you to receive your flu vaccination," he told reporters on Tuesday.

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said people should act before the peak flu period, from June to September.

"Now is the time to get vaccinated so you have immunity for when increased cases of flu may start to circulate," she said.

"So far we've seen very low numbers of flu because everyone is socially distancing."

Just nine people were diagnosed with influenza last week, a mere fraction of the 900 cases health officials would expect each week at this time of year.

AAP has sought comment on flu shot trends from the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.

In Queensland, pharmacies can administer flu vaccines to anyone except children aged under 10.

In 2014, when Queensland first trialled pharmacy flu shots, the AMA warned against it saying pharmacists should not pretend to be doctors.

Australian Associated Press

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiYWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmdyZW5mZWxscmVjb3JkLmNvbS5hdS9zdG9yeS82NzM3MzAwL3F1ZWVuc2xhbmQtZG9jdG9ycy1yZXBvcnQtZmx1LWphYi1wbHVuZ2UvP2NzPTkzOTfSAQA?oc=5

2020-04-27 23:21:00Z
CBMiYWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmdyZW5mZWxscmVjb3JkLmNvbS5hdS9zdG9yeS82NzM3MzAwL3F1ZWVuc2xhbmQtZG9jdG9ycy1yZXBvcnQtZmx1LWphYi1wbHVuZ2UvP2NzPTkzOTfSAQA

Bagikan Berita Ini