Flu vaccine shortage hits Australia as deadly flu season approaches

Following last year’s deadly flu outbreak, Australians are getting their flu vaccinations in droves. The killer season in 2017 claimed numerous lives and more than 71,000 people became infected with influenza. There are now fears there won’t be enough vaccines to go around, with Victoria and New South Wales struggling to keep up with demand.

The New South Wales government issued a statement explaining there has been an unprecedented demand for influenza vaccine in the country this year. In fact, NSW Health has distributed close to two million doses of state and national program influenza vaccines, around ha​lf a million more than last year. To keep up with demand, NSW Health said it was restricting the quantities of vaccines it distributed to GPs.

“NSW Health is working closely with the Australian Department of Health to manage the influenza vaccine supplies provided under the National Immunisation Program and we expect additional supplies of some vaccines from overseas within a fortnight,” it said in a statement. “All vaccine supplies for adults under the National Immunisation Program are constrained at this point. As a precaution, we’re restricting the quantities of vaccines we’re distributing to GPs.”

It’s a similar situation in Victoria, where Health Minister Jill Hennessy told reporters the jab would have to be rationed to those most at risk.

“Until we can get the assurance from the commonwealth government there’s flu vaccine available for all … we’re rationing our flu vaccines for the most vulnerable groups,” she said, according to Nine News. “They are largely people with certain kinds of illnesses, for the elderly and for young children.”

Hennessy blamed the federal government and said it needs to “get more assertive and organised about ensuring a solid supply.”

The Australian government said it has been a record year for seasonal influenza vaccines, with 5.1 million doses being made available through the National Immunisation Program (NIP). The government has seen a 10 per cent increase than any other year for these vaccines, which has put strain on availability and supplies.

“Unprecedented demand for seasonal influenza vaccination this year has impacted the availability of supplies,” it said in a statement. “According to states and territories, compared to last year, there has been a 25-30 per cent increase in demand.”

Patients requiring the flu vaccine in New South Wales and Victoria are facing rationing due to a shortfall in supply. @LaurenTomasi #9Today pic.twitter.com/vm5WfgSXAi

— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) May 23, 2018

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has released 9.6 million doses across the NIP, state programs and the private market, up from 8.3 in 2017.

“The Department of Health is working closely with states and territories to monitor availability of vaccines,” the government said. “The Department of Health is also working closely with companies to ensure additional vaccines are brought into Australia.”

NSW Health added that influenza cases are currently low across the state and there is no indication of an early flu season. In other parts of Australia, influenza numbers are already at a six-year high, with South Australia’s numbers up from 12 per cent from last year. The government has also made a turbo-charged vaccine available for people over the age of 65, designed to protect older members of the community who were hit hardest last year.

Starts at 60 has contacted the AMA for comment.

What do you think? Have you had your flu shot yet? Are you worried you’ve left it too late?