Flu season ready: Raelene Eddy receives her flu shot from Amcal pharmacist Cathy Cohen.
Photo by
Emily Donohoe
May marks the start of the five-month-long flu season, making now the recommended time to get your flu vaccine.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia urged all eligible Australians to get vaccinated against influenza.
“In the first quarter of 2024 there were 26,836 influenza cases reported by the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System,” they said.
“By February, case numbers were already double the number than what was reported the same time last year.”
Pharmacy Guild national president Professor Trent Twomey encouraged Australians to get vaccinated now before flu season begins.
“Although the vaccine will last throughout the year, it is most effective in the first three to four months following its administration,” Prof Twomey said.
The National Immunisation Program funds flu vaccines for eligible patients. Information from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care will be shared when funded vaccines are available.
Different each year: Past flu vaccinations. Photo: file
Amcal Echuca has flu shots in stock and invites anyone eligible to get vaccinated by their pharmacists, Cathy Cohen and Con Kostoglou.
The cost is $24.95, and those over 65 can be vaccinated for free. Walk-ins are encouraged, and there is also an online booking form.
“We do walk-ins, so people don’t have to wait for an appointment,” Mrs Cohen said.
“90 per cent of the time we can inject on a walk-in basis. Normally we vaccinate from 9am to 4pm on a weekday.
“We do have a booking system for the flu vaccine so they can book online.
“We’re fairly flexible with the vaccinations.”
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has advised people who received a flu shot in late 2023 to still get vaccinated in 2024. This is because the vaccine changes from year to year.
“The flu vaccines that are released are the latest flu vaccines,” Mrs Cohen said.
“There is now an over 65s vaccine that is completely free at the pharmacy.
“It’s the same strains, just more concentrated for the over 65s.”
ATAGI said that flu vaccines can be given on the same day as other vaccines, such as COVID-19.
“They can have their COVID vaccine at the same time,” Mrs Cohen said.
“Some elderly people may be eligible for their Pneumovax, which is to help prevent pneumonia.
“We also have Shingrix available, which is your shingles vaccine.
“With the flu vaccine, you can get any vaccine [simultaneously] except for a live vaccine.”
Pharmacist Con Kostoglou is also certified in mobile and group vaccinations.
He can travel for vaccinations at workplaces or for vulnerable people who cannot come into the store.
For this service, however, those over 65 cannot receive the vaccine for free as only onsite vaccinations are covered under the National Immunisation Program.
Amcal Echuca is at 192 Hare St, Echuca. It is open from 8.30am to 6pm on weekdays and 9am to 4pm on weekends.
10°C