Flu season looms, but doctors still waiting on vaccines
A busy Logan medical practice has been forced to turn away elderly patients wanting the free flu vaccine because doctors cannot order the free doses.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A southside doctor has criticised the state and federal governments, accusing both of putting patient health at risk by preventing general practitioners from ordering flu vaccines until April.
Eagleby GP Dr Thomas Lyons said the delay was unfair and could have serious consequences for vulnerable patients who relied on their GP for timely vaccinations.
The long-serving Logan GP said his clinic had been inundated with calls from patients eager to get their flu shot, only for him to explain that he was unable to order stock.
Dr Lyons said it was misleading for Queensland Health to begin advertising this year’s $25 million free flu vaccination program on March 1 when most GPs could not order the vaccine.
He warned that delaying access to the vaccine for another two weeks could be too late, as the flu season in Queensland can start as early as April, though it traditionally peaks between June and September.
“It’s beyond frustrating, and we’ve got patients, particularly the elderly and those with chronic conditions, who trust their GP and want their flu shot here – not in a pharmacy,” he said.
“But the government’s policy means we have to turn them away while pharmacies are eligible to get the vaccines and profit from being the first in line.
“The only reason pharmacies get flu vaccines first is for financial benefit – this isn’t about public health, it’s purely about profit.”
Both Queensland Health and the federal Health Department rejected the claim that there was a discriminatory delay in vaccine distribution that gave pharmacies an advantage.
However, Queensland Health acknowledged that initial supplies of the vaccine were limited.
“While vaccine supply may be limited initially, additional stock will arrive progressively throughout the program period,” Queensland Health said.
“Vaccination providers are encouraged to offer influenza vaccination opportunistically to eligible Queenslanders.”
A Queensland Health spokesperson explained that access to the vaccine depended on two supply channels: private sector purchases and the federally managed National Immunisation Program (NIP).
The private sector, open to both GPs and pharmacies, allowed providers to purchase flu vaccines as early as March, while the NIP, which supplies free vaccines to eligible patients, commences distribution in April.
“There is no shortage of flu vaccines in Queensland, and we never discriminate in any vaccine rollout we manage,” a Queensland Health spokesman said.
“Any vaccines that GPs or pharmacies have administered to date have been purchased from the private sector.”
The federal Health Department also defended its flu vaccine distribution process and dismissed claims that pharmacies received stock earlier than general practitioners.
A department spokesperson stated that vaccine arrivals and distribution timelines remained consistent with previous years and emphasised that the state government determined vaccine distribution, not the Commonwealth.
“The order form (for the vaccine) may be used to order vaccines by any vaccination provider, including both GPs and pharmacists, facilitated through Queensland Health,” a federal Health Department spokesperson said.
“Queensland Health is seeking orders from April 7 for all vaccine providers, once they have received all National Immunisation Program-funded flu vaccines in their warehouse, ahead of the 2025 flu season.”
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland declined to comment, but branch president Chris Owen has previously applauded the state government for “its continued support” in making the vaccine freely available to those not covered by the National Immunisation Program.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls has also urged Queenslanders to overcome vaccine fatigue and take advantage of the free vaccinations amid predictions of a severe flu season.
The program is available at various providers, including GPs, pharmacies, and community vaccination centres.
More Coverage
Originally published as Flu season looms, but doctors still waiting on vaccines
‘Win for businesses’: Coast to receive $10bn in Olympic funding
In what has been a deemed a win for businesses and tourism the Sunshine Coast is set to host multiple events and receive about $10bn in infrastructure funding for the 2032 Olympics.
‘Bleisure’ travel behind Brisbane’s $11bn visitor boom
Business travellers have helped boost Brisbane visitor spending last year to a new record. It comes as two major overseas airlines are about to expand flights here.