Australia orders more vaccines because influenza cases increase by 50%

A 50% increase in influenza cases and reports from doctors suggesting that thousands of patients have been rejected in recent weeks due to vaccine shortages.

The WA Health Department has already distributed more than 500,000 influenza vaccines. However, in a small survey conducted by the Australian Medical Association in the state of Washington, half of the 137 companies surveyed said they had been forced to cancel more than 1,800 appointments. AMA WA chairman, Omar Khorshid, said the findings of a small overview of the doctors were worrisome and suggested that the number of cancellations was at risk

"What tells us, c & rsquo; Is that the national shortage has affected WA and that it has had an uneven effect, some general practices being completely short and others having a reasonably good supply, "said Dr. Khorshid. We are very concerned about what's going on in the distribution channels this year, not just at general practitioners, but at some pharmacies.

"It is really important to target the flu vaccine to people who really need it, while influenza rates remain moderate one month after winter, an increase in cases earlier in the year. year means that the number of cases this year is 55 percent higher than the same number of cases this year.According to experts, it is unlikely that the peak will reach the month of September.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Health said it still had small amounts of flu shots for all age groups. "In cases where improved vaccine providers are out of stock, it is recommended to administer the vaccine to four adult strains, "she said." This formulation has been used in previous years for this age group and covers four strains.

"The department is still waiting for enough vaccines to be available to ensure that people who are eligible for the PIN vaccine can still be vaccinated before the peak period of transmission. of influenza in August / September. "