ALMOST all Australians (93%)have identified pharmacy as the place to receive their influenza vaccine this season, citing access, cost and convenience as the biggest motivators, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia reports.
The data was based on the Guild's new '2017 Flu Vaccination Study' released today.
Guild national president George Tambassis said 2017 represented the first flu season that trained community pharmacists Australia-wide would be able to administer flu shots in pharmacy, highlighting awareness and accessibility as key drivers for boosting vaccination rates.
"Our survey shows more than seven million Australians aged 18 to 64 years are planning to have a flu shot this year," Tambassis said.
"It indicated more than six million Australians said they would be more likely to have a flu shot if it could be administered at a local pharmacy, including two million who previously had no intention to vaccinate against flu.
"For community pharmacy to tempt an extra two million Australians into having a flu shot this year, is testimony to pharmacy's recognition as a trusted health centre."
Tambassis noted that the majority of Australians lived within 1.5 km of a pharmacy.
Guild NSW branch president, Rick Samimi emphasised the flu cost effects on workers, employers, families and national health system.
The 2017 quadrivalent vaccine is now available in pharmacies nationally, while the free National Immunisation Program for people at high risk will commence mid-Apr.
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