Flu vax deadline looms

COMMUNITY pharmacy owners and store managers are being urged to put plans in place for their 2022 influenza vaccination programs ahead of the deadline for orders on 19 Nov.

A joint statement from the Immunisation Coalition, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, released this morning warned that the reopening of international borders following COVID-19-induced closure, was likely to lead to a resurgence in flu cases next year.

The Immunisation Coalition’s Scientific Advisory Committee Chair, Professor Robert Booy, noted that early indications from overseas jurisdictions suggested that the low number of flu cases recorded in Australia this year was unlikely to continue into 2022.

“We need to be clear, 2021 has not be reflective of a typical influenza season,” he said.

“All the measures associated with slowing the transmission of COVID-19 resulted in an abnormal flu season.”

With experts forecasting a jump in flu cases, Immunisation Coalition Chair, Dr Rod Pearce, warned that it would be essential that immunisers order adequate stocks of the vaccines.

“What is important now, is that we avoid a vaccine shortage next year because providers have reduced their vaccine orders for 2022, based on reduced cases and vaccine uptake this year,” he said.

“We know that preorders for 2022 are significantly lower than this time last year.

“We cannot simply turn the manufacturing process on and off for influenza vaccination.

“It is important our providers are prepared, by ensuring sufficient supply levels are reached ahead of the season.”

Pearce noted that coadministration of flu vaccine and COVID-19 boosters is now recommended by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisations.