The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch President, Chris Owen, said today that more Queenslanders are visiting community pharmacies than ever before to access flu vaccines.
Mr Owen said that over a quarter of a million Queenslanders have attended community pharmacies to get their flu vaccinations this year.
“As of 12 May, over 267,000 Queenslanders have visited their community pharmacy to get their flu vaccination,” said Mr Owen.
“This represents a 27% increase on the same time in 2023 and accounts for a quarter of all the flu vaccinations across the state,” Mr. Owen said.
Mr Owen also encouraged more Queenslanders to get their flu vaccinations before flu season gets into full swing.
“We know that there’s been an increase in the number of hospitalisations due to influenza,” said Mr Owen, “with flu season just around the corner, now is the best time to get ahead of the virus and get vaccinated.
“The number of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases has also been a particular concern this year,” said Mr Owen, “Queensland has recorded more RSV (15,020) cases than flu (12,065) cases so far this year.
“Eligible patients (adults aged 75 years and older, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 60 to 74 years, and adults aged 60 to 74 years with medical conditions that increase their risk of severe disease due to RSV) also now have access to RSV vaccinations through their participating community pharmacy,” said Mr Owen.
Mr Owen said most communities have a local pharmacy, making it convenient for patients to access vaccination services from their community pharmacist.
“97% of people who live in metropolitan areas live within 2.5 kilometres of their nearest community pharmacy, and 83% of regional Australians live within 5 kilometres of their nearest pharmacy,” Mr Owen said.
“Queenslanders are able to access more vaccinations through community pharmacies than any other state or territory in Australia,” said Mr Owen.
To locate the nearest community pharmacy, patients are encouraged to visit www.findapharmacy.com.au
