Flu vaccine back in Katherine after shortage

KATHERINE residents are “unable to get a flu shot” at their local clinics due to a shortage of vaccines, claim residents

Katherine has experienced a shortage of flu vaccines PICTURE: ISTOCK

KATHERINE residents are “unable to get a flu shot” at their local clinics due to a shortage of vaccines, claim residents.

One concerned resident told the NT News that two separate clinics had ran out of the popular vaccine last week, and neither knew when the shots would back in stock.

“(I am) unable to get flu shot in Katherine,” he said.

“Government clinic and Gorge Health report no vaccine and do not know when supply will be available.”

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When questioned on the shortage, a NT Health spokeswoman assured Katherine residents that influenza vaccines were now available for residents. “There has been a large demand for influenza vaccine and vaccine is being distributed to all clinics in the Katherine region and across the NT,” she said.

“The hospital pharmacy can only receive and distribute a limited amount of vaccines per week so occasionally there is a temporary disruption to supply if demand if high.

“Further stocks are sourced from pharmaceutical companies and restocked within 1-2 weeks.”

The spokeswoman said anyone looking to get a flu vaccine in Katherine this week could visit the NT Government’s Community Health Centre in Katherine, which would have a flu clinic operating today.

She said Gorge Health in Katherine, which was not a bulk-billing practice, had a stock of the vaccines Fluarix Tetra and Flu Quadri Junior — adding its supply arrived on Friday last week.

“Influenza vaccine is available on the National Immunisation Program for all eligible people,” she said.

“People not eligible for the funded vaccine can purchase the vaccine through their GP or pharmacy.”

The shortage comes after NT doctors urged people to get vaccinated following a horror Top End flu season which killed six people and hospitalised hundreds.

Centre for Disease Control researchers said the 2018 outbreak indicated an “intense” flu season with more than 200 notifications a week for the first time since the 2009 pandemic which put a strain on hospital services.

Researchers also said lab- confirmed flu rates had been climbing every year due to an increase in the testing rates.