DOCTORS need to stop debating when is the ideal time to get vaccinated, and start promoting opportunistic influenza vaccination programs, Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian Branch President, Anthony Tassone believes.
Responding to grim warnings from leading medics that "at least" 4,000 Australians will die as a result of the flu this year, Tassone took to Twitter to urge his peers in the medical profession to stop criticising pharmacist vaccination campaigns.
"Rather than arguing the toss of when is the absolute ideal time to get vaccinated - let's encourage opportunistic influenza vaccination," he said.
Data from the Immunisation Coalition revealed more than 10,000 Australians were diagnosed with the flu in Mar alone, with close to 27,000 being struck down with the virus in Q1 of 2019.
Immunisation Coalition Chair, Professor Robert Booy, warned the ABC that 2019 could be a record year for flu diagnosis.
"The data I have received shows that we are seeing three times as many cases this year as last year.
"This year, we expect the flu to kill at least 4,000 people which is the same number as deaths from suicide and the road toll combined.
"I encourage healthy people to get the flu shot as it protects you from getting and from spreading it to more vulnerable groups like the elderly," the doctor said.
Booy added that while elderly patients and pregnant women should go to their GP, it was "fine" to go to a pharmacy for other healthy adults.
With the flu season set to spike between Jun to Sep, the Federal Government's Chief Medical Officer urged Australians to get vaccinated in mid-Apr to boost immunity in time for the traditional peak in diagnoses.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 11 Apr 19
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