Uncertainty and miscommunication have affected the rollout of free flu vaccinations for South Australians, with the state government now confirming pharmacies can charge for them if they wish.
The government announced the flu jabs would be free from last Sunday until June 30 through a subsidy scheme for GPs and pharmacists.
SA Health has now confirmed the policy is opt-in, and private practitioners and pharmacies may continue to charge for the vaccine.
Gayle Mather from Port Augusta had booked her appointment to get the flu vaccine at her local Terry White Chemmart two days after the government announced it would provide free flu shots for all South Australians.
Ms Mather was surprised however when she was told she would be charged $24.95 for her vaccine.
"I'd been through the fuss to get the appointment and I needed the flu injection," Ms Mather said.
She contacted the office of her local MP, Geoff Brock, who contacted the chemist to enquire why they were charging for the flu vaccine.
"We rang the chemist straight away and they realised there was a malfunction on their website. Someone had put the wrong date in [for the subsidy to start] and rectified and then rang all their pharmacies across regional South Australia," Mr Brock said.
National head of health for Terry White, Dan Hillier, said the miscommunication occurred due the speed of the policy change and all charged patients would be contacted and refunded.
"Policy on the run is always going to be challenging and there's always going to be things that slip through," Mr Hillier said.
Ms Maher said she suspected she was not the only patient affected.
"When the lady rang me back to give me my refund, I said 'I guess you're having to ring everybody'. And she said 'it's not too bad, it's only eight or so people'," she said.
"I thought that's still eight people who paid $24.95 when they didn't need to."
Government communication issues
The Pharmacy Guild of South Australia branch director Peter Schwarz said the guild was not contacted by SA Health until the day after the policy was announced.
"The first we knew of the policy was after seeing it in the paper on Sunday," Mr Schwarz said.
In a statement on Wednesday, SA Health said that it had been in contact with pharmacies and GPs "via a number of channels, including through relevant professional bodies".
"Providers were updated with information on how they can invoice for vaccines administered and be reimbursed for those administered since 29 May," SA Health said.
"If patients have pre-paid for vaccines administered on or after 29 May, any potential reimbursement should be discussed between the provider and the patient."
