The Victorian government is offering free flu vaccines this month as part of a $33-million package to help boost coverage, but a pharmacist says stocks are running low.
The state opposition, which has been on the warpath about a staffing crisis in Victoria's health sector for months, says the Andrews government should have acted sooner to prevent the "confusion and chaos" surrounding the vaccine supply.
The supply concerns come on top of what doctors have described as an unusual flu season, with the public more likely to be vulnerable to catching influenza after a non-season in 2021.
The free flu vaccine program was developed with the Pharmacy Guild, the Australian Medical Association and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
But Peter Fell of UFS Pharmacies said the government was relying on private operators and GPs to provide their own stocks of the vaccine.
"One of the frustrating parts about the process is, because the Victorian government is almost the last state government to make that decision, most of the other vaccine supply had been already picked up by the other states," he said.
Keep trying, guild says
The Department of Health is responsible for supplying and distributing influenza vaccines for priority individuals under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
More than 1.8 million doses have been distributed across Victoria through the NIP, with supply remaining for this program, but GPs and pharmacists access their own stock privately.
"We have to place our orders prior to Christmas, so there's often some spare stock around the country — but not reliably so," Mr Fell said.
"I think because there's been a big demand interstate, now a lot of the spare product … has now been drawn down."
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia's Victorian branch president, Anthony Tassone, encouraged those who missed out on bookings to keep trying.
He said the jab was vital for protection against influenza.
"There may be some pharmacies who have low levels of stock for non-National Immunisation Program-eligible patients," he said.
"What we encourage patients to do … is to try another GP or pharmacy, because you are very likely to find an appointment."
Government 'chaos' to blame, says opposition
State opposition health spokesperson Georgie Crozier said the Victorian government should have seen this "terrible mess" coming.
"What I'm very worried about is a lack of flu vaccine in pharmacies," Ms Crozier said.
"Lack of preparation, mismanagement, ongoing confusion and chaos is what's happened, and that's why we're in this terrible mess at the moment."
'Significant spikes'
During June's free vaccine program, pharmacies and GPs will receive a $25 rebate from the state government for every dose administered.
"We think it's a very good program," Mr Tassone said.
"We think it appropriately renumerates pharmacies for the work they are doing … it's easy to register and participate and overall it's a really positive outcome."
Rural Doctors Association of Victoria president Rob Phair, said the key flu season challenge this year was a weakened collective immune system.
"We haven't been out and about and moving internationally for the past two-and-a-half years," Dr Phair said.
"But now that people have gone back to basically business as usual, we are seeing some really significant spikes, in a climb of 30 per cent in a week.
