The Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland Branch President, Chris Owen, said today Queenslanders were continuing to choose community pharmacies when it comes to accessing influenza vaccines.
Mr Owen said that as of the end of July, more than 435,000 Queenslanders had chosen to receive their influenza vaccination in one of the over 1200 community pharmacies across the state.
"Increasingly, we're seeing more and more Queenslanders getting their flu vaccines through community pharmacy," said Mr Owen.
"Just since May, we've seen almost 200,000 Queensland patients come through our doors to receive their flu shots. Queensland community pharmacies provide 26% of the total influenza vaccinations, up from 17% in 2021.
Mr Owen said accessing vaccinations through community pharmacies was made easier because most communities have access to a local pharmacy.
"97% of people who live in metropolitan areas live within 2.5 kilometres of their nearest community pharmacy, and 83% of regional Australians live within 5 kilometres of their nearest pharmacy," Mr Owen said.
"Queenslanders are spoilt for choice when accessing vaccinations through community pharmacies. There are more vaccinations offered in Queensland community pharmacies than any other state in Australia," said Mr Owen.
Mr Owen also said Queenslanders still had an opportunity to access free influenza vaccines through community pharmacies until September 30.
"Thanks to funding provided by the Queensland Government, Queenslanders six months of age and older can access free influenza vaccinations through community pharmacy.
Queensland Health recently released data showing a dramatic rise in influenza cases across the state," said Mr Owen.
"As the data shows, there's been a significant increase in the number of hospitalisations due to influenza and more than 5,600 people diagnosed with influenza just last week. There's no time like now to get the free influenza vaccine to reduce the chance of getting sick," said Mr Owen.
To book an appointment to access influenza vaccinations patients are encouraged to visit www.findapharmacy.com.au
