Spike in flu jab demand

Vaccine stocks being held back for young and aged

FLU vaccine stocks are becoming severely depleted in Geelong, with supplies largely unavailable for most residents.

Barwon Health has been forced to restrict flu jabs to children under five and those aged 65 and over — barely a week after it said it had sufficient stock for the general population.

The region, like much of Australia, has experienced an unprecedented demand for flu shots.

In the first two weeks of May, Barwon Health saw a 400 per cent increase in flu jabs, which it blames for the sudden drop in stock.

Other clinics in Geelong are feeling the strain on supplies.

One mother told the Geelong Advertiser she had called a clinic to book a flu shot for her 11-month-old daughter, but was told there may not be stock available when she arrived for the appointment.

Barwon Health immunisation manager Caroline Poynder said its service had limited supplies for young and elderly residents, along with a small amount of paid stock.

“Different clinics have different levels of stock, so clients might have to try more than one clinic to make an appointment for their child,” Ms Poynder said.

“We are hoping additional stock becomes available, but it is unknown how much (we will get) or when this will occur.”

Barwon Health has been forced to put on extra immunisation sessions in Norlane, Newcomb and Ocean Grove to cope with the demand.

The shortage in supplies is also being felt in prisons across the state.

About one-third of adult inmates have already received flu jabs this year, with remaining stock being restricted vulnerable.

A spokeswoman for Justice Health said all inmates and prison staff were strongly encouraged to get the flu vaccine each year.

“Prisoners and youth offenders live in close quarters. A highly contagious disease such as the flu is likely to spread quickly, posing a significant health risk to those in custody, and to staff, visitors, volunteers and contractors,” she said.

“Should an outbreak occur, affected prisoners and youth justice offenders need to be separated in order to contain to the most the spread, leading to operational challenges.

“Infected people returning to the community after release could also pose a health risk to others.”

Last week, Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy announced the state would start rationing flu supplies for children, the elderly and sick people.

The Federal Government is in the process of distributing an extra 800,000 doses across Australia to relieve pressure on clinics.

Several chemists were contacted last night but none were available for comment.