Flu shots in short supply at northern beaches pharmacies

The flu vaccine is out-of-stock at several northern beaches pharmacies due to its popularity following the death of more than 30 people in NSW since the start of the year.

The flu vaccine is out-of-stock at several northern beaches pharmacies. Picture: Stock Image.

The flu vaccine is out-of-stock at several northern beaches pharmacies due to its popularity following the death of more than 30 people in NSW since the start of the year.

Manly Daily inquiries have found several pharmacies on the peninsula have run out of the vaccine.

Malouf Manly Pharmacy, Priceline Mona Vale, Narrabeen Pharmacy, Warringah Mall Pharmacy and Allambie Compounding Pharmacy are all out-of-stock for on-the-spot vaccinations.

There is a shortage in vaccinations at pharmacies. Picture: iStock

Seaforth Pharmacy is also currently out-of-stock, but is anticipating it will have more vaccines available next week.

Of the other pharmacies the Manly Daily called, both Manly Vale Pharmacy and Pharmacy Nutrition Warehouse Balgowlah had stock available, but the latter is currently in short supply.

There have been 37 deaths since January from flu-related illnesses, according to NSW Health.

The public health authority has encouraged people to vaccinate.

While flu shots are also available from general practitioners, many people prefer to see a pharmacist rather than wait to see a doctor.

The Pharmacy Guild of NSW president David Heffernan said he was not aware of any vaccine suppliers running out of stock.

Pharmacy Guild President David Heffernan. Picture: Supplied

“There is stock out there,” he said.

“Some pharmacies may have exhausted supply, but others not.

“Our main message to people would be to ring around.”

He said many more people had been vaccinated at pharmacies this year than last year following public health campaigns encouraging people to protect themselves.

That has meant some pharmacies have run out of stock.

“We’ve been a victim of our own success,” Mr Heffernan said of those stores.

“The uptake of the flu vaccine has been pretty good this year.”

Doctors received preferential supply of the vaccine, according to Mr Heffernan.

He encouraged people in high-risk categories such as those over 65 years, pregnant women, infants and Aboriginal people to see a doctor to ensure they were vaccinated.

Children aged from six months to five years can be vaccinated for free as part of the NSW Government’s immunisation program.