CONCERNS that Australians are passing on getting this year's influenza vaccine are behind calls from Queensland's Health Minister, Yvette D'Ath, for the Federal Government to subsidise access to the shots.
Confirmed flu cases in the State for the year have jumped from 1,848 last week to 4,282 in the last seven days, with 457 patients being admitted to public hospitals in Queensland since the start of Apr, ABC News reported.
Data from Queensland Health has also revealed that 180 people have been diagnosed as having both COVID-19 and flu at the same time, with almost half of these cases aged between 10 and 29 years.
D'Ath has said she will write to the Federal Government to request that access to free flu vaccines be expanded to boost uptake.
The Courier-Mail reported that D'Ath said she wanted to ensure barriers to vaccination, including cost, were removed.
Queensland Health Chief Operating Officer, Dr David Rosengren, told the News Corp publication that pressure being put on the health system by the surge in flu cases was "everyone's problem".
"We need to encourage the community to go out and get your flu vaccination, go out and get your COVID vaccination," he said.
"Don't contribute to the burden of demand in our emergency departments by finding yourself in the back of an ambulance being transported to hospital because haven't found the time or the effort get the flu vaccination."
The call for Queenslanders to get vaccinated came after State Deputy Premier, and former Health Minister, Steven Miles, criticised GPs for allegedly refusing to see patients with flu symptoms, and adding pressure on the hospital system.
However, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners President, Dr Karen Price, said it was not right to blame GPs for the current situation, saying practices were being stretched to capacity.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 19 May 22
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 19 May 22
