The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch, welcomes the Palaszczuk Government’s extension of the free influenza vaccine program to 17 July for Queensland residents aged between five and 64 years.
Queensland Branch President Chris Owen says the program has been very popular so far, and the two-week extension will see community pharmacists provide greater preventive healthcare services for Queenslanders.
“There have been unprecedented numbers of Queenslanders receiving their free influenza vaccination, with close to 207,000 vaccines administered in community pharmacy since the launch on 24 May. With the two-week extension, more Queenslanders will be protected against influenza,” Mr Owen said.
“The user-friendly online booking service www.qldfreevax.com.au has enabled over 250,000 bookings to be made at community pharmacies. All you have to do is enter your suburb, and the website will automatically find the next available appointment at your closest community pharmacy.
“With Queensland school holidays taking place over the next two weeks, we encourage families to make the most of this time and book their free influenza vaccine at your local community pharmacy,” he said.
“Community pharmacists are trained to administer vaccines to children aged five years and over, meaning the whole family can receive their influenza vaccine at a community pharmacy.
“Since the beginning of March, we’ve had the privilege of administering more than 400,000 influenza vaccinations through community pharmacies in Queensland,” Mr Owen said.
“Like with the COVID-19 vaccinations, influenza vaccinations at community pharmacies are administered by highly trained and qualified pharmacists who must attain a current first aid and CPR certificate and accreditation in anaphylaxis management.”
“I encourage Queenslanders to visit their local community pharmacy to receive their free influenza vaccine in the next two weeks before the program ends on Sunday 17 July 2022.”
