Flu vaccine in short supply: Where to get your shot in Blacktown

The national flu vaccine shortage has hit Blacktown, with many pharmacies running completely out of stock. To find out which pharmacies still have stock, see our story here.

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Pharmacies in the Blacktown area have been hit hard by the national flu vaccine shortage, with many out of stock or running low on supplies.

The Advocate’s inquiries this week found many pharmacies in the region had run out of stock completely or were down to their final doses.

Out of 30 pharmacies contacted, only seven had the vaccine in stock.

Many of the pharmacies contacted were hopeful they would be restocked later this week, but remained uncertain.

Chemist Warehouse Blacktown, Cincotta Discount Chemist Blacktown, SuperChem Blacktown and Good Value Chemist Blacktown have temporarily run out of the vaccine.

Many pharmacies across Seven Hills, Prospect, Doonside, Rooty Hill and Mt Druitt were also out of stock.

FLU VACCINE IN STOCK

• Xtreme Chemist, St Martins — Low stock

• McGills Pharmacy, Lalor Park — In stock

• Marayong Pharmacy — In stock

• Terry White Chemist, Plumpton — In stock

• Mt Druitt Late Night Family Pharmacy — Low stock

• Emerton Pharmacy — Low stock

• Whalan Compounding Pharmacy — Low stock

The shortage comes after an unprecedented number of people rushed to get vaccinated against the virus as this year’s deadly flu season takes hold.

A Seven Hills pharmacist, who did not wish to be named, said it was uncommon to run out of stock so early into the flu season.

“There’s been a lot more demand than in previous years,” they said.

“The public awareness is growing so demand is also growing.

“We’re receiving a lot of phone calls from a lot of people wanting a flu vax for themselves or their child and are having difficulty sourcing it.

“We’re usually able to supply people right up until the end of June.”

Last week, the Department of Health confirmed supplies for its National Immunisation Program (NIP) were secure, with an additional 400,000 vaccines to be made available over the coming weeks to keep up with demand.

More than 12 million vaccines were released this year, with 4.6 million of these allocated to the private market.

Western Sydney Local Health District public health unit director Dr Shopna Bag told the Advocate there was no shortage of flu vaccine stocks for its immunisation programs.

Those eligible for a free flu vaccine through the NIP include people aged 65 years and over, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and older, and anyone aged six months and older with certain medical conditions.

Dr Bag said NSW Health was working closely with the Federal Government through the NIP to monitor its flu vaccine supplies.

NSW Health data shows there were 391 confirmed cases of influenza in the Western Sydney Local Health District in the week ending May 26, up from 258 cases the week prior.