GP clinics running out of flu vaccine after surge in demand

Days after the Government said it would give away four million doses of a world-first flu vaccine, GP clinics have run out of supply across the southeast.

Just two days after federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announced seniors, children and indigenous people could access four million free does of a new flu vaccine, supplies have run out.

A ring around of 37 clinics across the southeast, from the Redlands to Moreton, Logan and Brisbane, found most had no free jabs in stock after a recent rush.

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Some had vaccines available at a cost of about $14.95, but many did not even have that and were asking patients not to come in until they were resupplied.

Some clinics were not expecting new stock until April 14.

Every year the Federal Government dispenses free flu shots with numbers based on a clinic’s usage the previous year.

But demand has been so extraordinary this week in particular that a whole season’s supply at some medical practices has been used up in days.

But Quest Newspapers/The Courier-Mail understand doctors have been told not to expect more stock until April 14, and to then reorder every week.

However, AMA Queensland President Dr Dilip Dhupelia said he expected stocks of flu vaccines to be delivered to GP practices from next week.

“We had been advised by Queensland Health that the Commonwealth Government has purchased even more vaccines for distribution for vulnerable groups than it did last year, so we expected plenty of supply,” he said.

“The ideal time to have your flu shot is between mid April and mid May so there is still time for people to get their shots at the GP.”

Dr Dhupelia advised people to phone their GP clinics to make an appointment for a flu shot and, if not available, to ask the practice to call them when it arrives in the coming days.

Mr Hunt said 13.5 million doses of the new four-strain Fluad Quad shot had been secured under the National Immunisation Program for all Australians in a bid to further sandbag the health system in the fight against coronavirus.

Those over 65, under 5, or indigenous and at-risk people would have access to four million free doses.

While Fluad Quad does not protect against coronavirus, experts believe it will help doctors diagnose between the novel disease and seasonal flu.

The federal Health Department referred queries to Queensland Health, which said the timing of vaccination should aim to achieve the highest level of protection during the peak of the influenza season.

“Flu season in Queensland is typically from June to September, with the peak usually in August,’’ a spokesman said.

“While we are encouraging people to vaccinate as soon as they are able this year, there is plenty of time to get your vaccination.

“We rolled out the first round of funded vaccines on March 23, for Queenslanders 65 years and older only. Vaccine distribution for this group was prioritised.

“The second rollout is currently under way. Immunisation providers can order supplies on a weekly basis from April 14.

“Queensland Health only distributes National Immunisation Program funded influenza vaccine to GPs.

“People ineligible for the free-funded vaccination can ask their GP or pharmacist about private vaccine stock.’’

SmartClinics Family Medical Centre at Westfield Chermside has administered about 200 flu shots this week.

About 40 of those were the free government-funded vaccinations.

Practice manager Trina Dale said they had received only a small number of the government-funded vaccinations but were hoping to have more within the next two weeks.

“However we have a lot of the private shots available and we try to get an order in weekly or fortnightly,” she said.

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The manager of a large medical clinic in Pine Rivers said they had only government-issued vaccines at the moment but were “burning though them” at a rapid rate.

“The government is telling people to book in their vaccines early but they are not giving us enough supply,” he said.

“All the private suppliers seemed to have run out so we’re waiting on the next government delivery.

“Those government vaccines come with eligibility criteria such as age restrictions and existing medical conditions so we’re having to strictly control our bookings.”

Where the flu jab is/isn’t available

TARINGA

Taringa 7 Day Medical Practice - available, usually gets 1000 shots a week but will run out soon.

ROSALIE

Rosalie Milton Medical Practice -none in stock, hope to get more next week.

TOOWONG

myHealth Medical Centre - plenty of free jabs at the moment

Smartclinics Towoong - no free stock, only $14.95 shots

THE GAP

Walton Bridge Medical Centre - none until April 14

KENMORE

Kenmore Family Medical Practice - none in stock. Possibly more after Easter.

BRACKEN RIDGE

Telegraph Road Medical Centre – government-funded shots in stock but they are fully booked, expecting more within the next week or two. Plenty of private flu shots.

CAPALABA

Capalaba Medical Centre - government-funded vaccines in stock but could run out in a day.

VICTORIA POINT

Medicross Victoria Point - has free government vaccines in stock.

THORNLANDS

Thornlands General Practice - private and government shots in stock but running low in government funded stocks.

BIRKDALE

Birkdale Medical Centre- no private vaccines, all over-65s vaccines allocated but some vaccines under 5s.

CABOOLTURE

Caboolture Super Clinic - have received only one delivery of flu vaccine so far, only enough left for a week but expecting more in a fortnight. 370 people on wait list.

ALBANY CREEK

Albany Family Doctors - None but more expected after Easter.

ALBANY HILLS

Albany Hills Radius Medical Centre - have stocks.

EVERTON PARK

Everton Plaza Medical Centre - have stocks.

MITCHELTON

Medicine on Blackwood - $14.95 shots left, all free government shots gone.

STAFFORD

Stafford City Doctors – Ran out today (April 3). Expects more paid shots by Monday but unsure when it will get more free government-funded shots.

STAFFORD HEIGHTS

Stafford Heights Medical Practice – None. Expecting more in a week or so.

JINDALEE

Jindalee Village Medical Centre - Have some but waiting on deliveries in the next two weeks.

OXLEY

Oxley Family Medical - waiting for free over 65s shots.

INALA

Inala Primary Care - limited supplies of flu shots for over 65s, two week wait for other patients.

SPRINGFIELD

Springfield Medical and Dental Centre - have $20 shots, none for free.

Springfield Superclinic - have free and private supplies.

SINNAMON PARK

Sinnamon Park medical centre - wait list of 950 people.

ROCKLEA

Rocklea Medical Centre - a “very large number” on the wait list.

LOGANHOLME/KINGSTON

Logan Hyperdome Doctors (also has a surgery at Kingston) - the 200 vaccinations it received at the Hyperdome and 80 shots it received at Kingston at the beginning of the week all gone.

Will start placing weekly orders from April 14.

CLEVELAND

Cleveland GP Dr Ken Steffensen advised some patients to delay their shots to later in the season.

STRATHPINE

Strathpine Super GP Clinic - limited government supply only. Strict booking controls in place.

KALLANGUR

Family Practice at Kallangur - plenty of private supply but no government jabs. Have to wait until April 14 to reorder. No guarantee of resupply.

BONGAREE

Godwin Drive Family Medical Centre - have none of either vaccines. Have ordered more stock but not sure when it will come in.

LAWNTON

Gympie Rd Medical Centre - have sufficient supply of public and private vaccines in stock.

ASCOT

(Medical centre name withheld) - no stock, have not yet received their full pre-order from the supplier. The first 100 doses they received went in two days.

CLAYFIELD

Clayfield Medical Centre have stock.

WINDSOR

Family Doctors Plus – stock available, new supplies every two days. 500 already given in two weeks, not counting the free shots for over 65s and children.

SUNNYBANK

Sunnybank Plaza Family Clinic – limited private flu vaccines, government-funded vaccinations slowly arriving.

KURABY

Kuraby Station Surgery – private flu shots not available, shipment expected Monday. Government shots available for over 65s only

RUNCORN

Runcorn Plaza Family Medical Practice – private flu shots available, government-funded over 65 flu shots available, government-funded flu shots for under 65s expected soon (starting a wait list).