Canberrans encouraged to get vaccinated as influenza cases rise and doctors brace for 'whopper' flu seasonBy Lily NothlingTopic:Influenza1h ago1 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 8:40pmMore than 800 lab-confirmed cases of influenza have been recorded in the ACT this year. (ABC News: Kym Agius)In short:With doctors bracing for a nasty flu season and cases in Canberra continuing to climb, health authorities are urging people to get vaccinated against influenza.Vaccine access hasn't been easy for everyone, with pharmacists grappling with supply challenges — in particular the government-funded National Immunisation Program vaccines.What's next?The ACT government has announced a string of free pop-up clinics for children older than six months and younger than five years old to receive their flu vaccine.abc.net.au/news/act-influenza-cases-rise-vaccination-take-up-plea/105260444Link copiedShareShare articleEarly influenza infections paint an "ominous" picture of the coming flu season and should be an urgent reminder to get vaccinated, doctors say.Across Australia, there have been more than 71,000 lab-confirmed influenza cases since January.The ACT has recorded 817 infections so far this year, representing a more than 56 per cent increase on the same period in 2024.Max Mollenkopf says doctors are bracing for a "whopper" flu season this year. (ABC Newcastle: Jesmine Cheong)Royal Australian College of General Practitioners NSWACT deputy chair, Max Mollenkopf, said it had been an "awful" start to the year."Which is pretty ominous when we're so early in the season and it's pretty spooky to think about what might happen over the next few months," Dr Mollenkopf said."Doctors are bracing for another whopper of a season."I certainly think there is a degree of vaccine fatigue in the community over the last couple of years and … we're really hoping we can get people back on track."Health authorities are urging Canberrans to get the flu vaccine to help take pressure off the health system. (AAP: Lukas Coch)As winter approaches, ACT Chief Health Officer Kerryn Coleman is urging people to get vaccinated to "take pressure off the health system"."We won't be able to tell what type of season this will be until a little bit longer into the season," Dr Coleman said."Having a vaccine is the simplest and most effective way we can reduce the likelihood of severe illness."Free pop-up influenza vaccination clinics will be available for children aged six months to under five. (ABC News: Lily Nothling)The ACT government has announced a string of free pop-up clinics to get more children immunised against the flu.The service will be available for those aged six months to under five years old."Our under five-year-olds, and also our over 65-year-olds, can actually get really sick with influenza," Dr Coleman said."Sometimes [those people are] even needing hospitalisation, and sometimes unfortunately we do see some people pass away."Vaccine supply woesSamantha Kourtis says she's had to turn away patients seeking the flu vaccine. (ABC News: Luke Stephenson)Accessing a flu vaccine has not been easy for everyone.Canberra pharmacist Samantha Kourtis said chemists were having trouble sourcing government-funded vaccines under the National Immunisation Program (NIP)."That's for our most vulnerable Canberrans — we just can't get enough to meet demand," Ms Kourtis said."This is creating a really distressing and frustrating situation."We've had patients in our community in West Belconnen having to drive to the other side of Canberra to get their flu vaccine."The free NIP flu vaccine is available for children under five, pregnant people, those with underlying medical conditions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait people, and people over 65. (ABC News: Michael Lloyd)The NIP funds free flu jabs for children aged under five, anyone pregnant or with underlying medical conditions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait people, and people aged over 65.Ms Kourtis said some pharmacies and GP clinics were having to close down their bookings and turn people away."We're doing around 40 to 50 NIP vaccines a day, and I'm getting delivered 80 to 100 vaccines every two weeks," she said."When we have to say no [to people], we certainly do worry."Are they going to come back? Are they missing their opportunity? Is the next opportunity for them to get a vaccine in a month's time? Is that going to be too late?"Kerryn Coleman says there is enough flu vaccines for all Canberrans who want them. (ABC News: Lily Nothling)Strict guidelines mean the vaccines cannot be shared between pharmacies and can only be delivered by ACT health staff.Dr Coleman said Canberra was not grappling with a flu vaccine shortage."We have enough influenza vaccine for everyone who wants one to get one," she said."Sometimes what we see is there's a little bit of a mismatch between the demand at a particular location and when the next supply delivery is made."We're all trying our best to meet everybody's needs and sometimes there's just a couple of days where they might not be available."Posted 1h ago1 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 8:40pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesThree dead after India strikes nine Pakistan sites, officials sayLIVEIndia claims targets in Pakistan were 'terrorist infrastructure'BREAKINGPhoto shows pakistan KasmireCourt orders release of 'vicious' CCTV footage after three-year legal battleTopic:CrimePhoto shows External images of Reiby Youth Detention Centre.Who won the election culture wars? 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