Pharmacy Daily | Record start to flu vax season: Sigma

PHARMACIES across Australia are gearing up for a record-breaking influenza immunisation campaign, with wholesaler Sigma Healthcare, reporting that pre-orders are up 140% on the same time in 2020.

Sigma said it has seen its largest single week for flu vaccines ever, with its distribution centres shipping more than 150,000 doses to pharmacies across its Australia-wide network, including Amcal, Guardian and Discount Drug Stores franchisees.

The group's Chief Pharmacist, Brinley Hosking, said the surge in orders reflected a trend for vaccinations being administered earlier in the flu season.

"We're really pleased that our partners are receiving their full Mar pre-orders so quickly," she said.

"It's been an incredibly strong start to the season with pre-orders up 140% this month and total orders for the year up 60% so far.

"We are seeing a large shift towards vaccinations moving earlier in the season, so we have also made sure that stock is available to fulfill Apr and May orders should those doses be required sooner.

"To further support our pharmacies for the busy flu season ahead, we are also ramping up a number of exclusive training sessions to enable more pharmacists to administer a variety of vaccines, including influenza and COVID-19 vaccines when available."

Sigma's announcement of the surge in flu vaccine orders comes after Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian Branch President, Anthony Tassone, urged pharmacists to ensure "as much of the population [as possible] is protected against the flu whilst they await eligibility and availability of the COVID-19 vaccination" (PD 17 Mar).

"With the nature of the phased rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine for priority patient groups -- the majority of the Australian population is not planned to receive the COVID-19 vaccine any time before Phase 2a/May 2021, so there is an opportunity for patients to get organised and get protected by receiving an annual influenza vaccination in the meantime," he said.

Meanwhile, the Pharmacy Programs Administrator is due to respond to pharmacies that have applied to take part in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign later today.