THE Royal Australian College of General Practitioners yesterday urged patients to get their influenza vaccination from their GP earlier than usual to reduce strain on the health system caused by COVID-19.
Doctor Alex Oram from Beaudesert Medical Centre said they had been busy taking calls from people asking about the flu vaccination in the past few days.
"We have received our initial supply of Fluad, which is an enhanced vaccine covering four strains of the flu," he said.
"This is only recommended for people aged 65 and over
"For other age groups a more appropriate vaccine will be available in the next few weeks although we don't have an exact time frame for that."
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Dr Oram said when the vaccine does arrive it will only be free for people in high risk groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged five to 65, people with heart or lung disease and those with diabetes as well as pregnant women.
"We are recommending that anyone over 65 make an appointment to see their GP as soon as possible and asking those under the age of 65 to wait until they hear the flu vaccine has arrived to make an appointment," he said.
"The reason we are recommending vaccination now instead of winter is the vaccine provides immunity from the flu very quickly and lasts three to four months, providing protection through winter.
"The flu vaccine does not offer immunity from COVID-19 but we are asking everyone to get their flu shot because we don't want them to have both infections. We want to protect people from the viruses we can protect them from."
RACGP President Dr Harry Nespolon said with COVID-19 spreading across Australia, this year it was more important than ever for people to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
"Protecting yourself and your family from the flu with a vaccination now will help reduce the strain on health resources from COVID-19. If people don't get vaccinated and an increasing number of flu patients and COVID-19 patients require urgent healthcare, lives will be put at risk," he said.
"In a normal flu season, the RACGP advises people to wait until May to receive their flu vaccination, but with the spread of COVID-19, this is not a normal season. The last thing we want to see is patients infected with both influenza and COVID-19."
The RACGP president said it was important that people go to their GP for vaccinations and call ahead before visiting.
"Your GP is best placed to deliver your flu vaccination, as you will get continuity of care in a setting where staff are medically training in the rare event of an emergency," he said.
"People need to call their GP to discuss getting their flu vaccination and plan their visit. This is important as it allows clinic staff to make sure patients don't have any flu or COVID-19 symptoms before coming to the clinic, to ensure the safety of other patients, as well as GPs and staff."
"GPs are at the frontline and our priority is stopping the spread of this virus and reducing unnecessary exposure for patients, GPs and everyone else in the clinic. Practices have infection control processes in place but patients need to do their bit - that's why you must always call ahead, don't just drop in."
