Geraldton pharmacies see higher influenza vaccination rates over free jab June and July after State success

The State Government is satisfied with the number of free flu jabs handed out in June and July, claiming Western Australia is on track to beat its previous record — but local pharmacies share different views. More than 362,000 jabs were administered in the free two-month campaign, boosting vaccination numbers by 30 per cent. However, local pharmacies are in two minds about whether the quantity of doses received were enough. TerryWhite Chemmart Bluff Point pharmacist Courtney McLeod said the pharmacy administered 358 free influenza jabs over June and July, and despite the rise compared to previous months he would have liked to see more come through. “It’s definitely an increase and uptake, but it’s something we would have seen more of pre-COVID,” he said. Another local pharmacist with fewer administered doses thought the opposite. Wizard Pharmacy Geraldton Stirlings Central pharmacist-in-charge Caroline Mg said the pharmacy administered 112 flu vaccinations over the free jab period, and because the pharmacy was not accepting vaccinations over the weekend it was a positive number. “Because they are mainly walk-ins and we don’t do weekends, it is a good number. A lot of places offer flu vaccinations so I’m sure it’s been spread out,” she said. Another pharmacy with similar numbers said there was an obvious increase in people choosing to be vaccinated during the free jab period. Pharmacy 194 pharmacist Ben Crick said over June and July the pharmacy was busy giving out vaccinations. “We’ve done a total of 333 free flu jabs for over 65 and under 66. It’s definitely quite impressive and we still have a lot of stock left over,” he said. “It’s been a busy last couple of months, it’s been a good turn out and it’s always good to see people protecting themselves against the flu.” Pharmacy 194 administered 235 paid influenza jabs for the two months prior. The Department of Health has received more than 10,000 reports of influenza cases so far this year, and more than 1 million Western Australians have been vaccinated against it. Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson thanked community members who rolled up to protect not only themselves but others against influenza. “So far this year, 1366 people with influenza have been admitted to hospital, that is why we are still encouraging everyone six months and above to get their influenza vaccination,” she said.