AN Innaloo pharmacy is offering free flu vaccinations to seniors in a bid to avoid last year’s serious flu outbreak.
The 2017 flu season was the worst since 2009 and resulted in nearly 750 deaths across Australia, mostly elderly people.
The Health Department is providing free flu vaccines to registered pharmacies to administer to at risk patients, including those aged 65 and older, but most pharmacies are charging from $10 to $15 to cover time and staff costs.
Terry White Chemmart Innaloo pharmacist Aaron Van Vliet said the pharmacy decided to provide the vaccine free of charge to Medicare cardholders aged above 65 who present at the store until May 31.
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“The greater number of people who get vaccinated, not only do we reduce sickness and lost work time for those who are generally healthy and well, the greater we come toward achieving ‘herd immunity’,” he said.
“In particular, this protects those who are at serious risk from catching the flu and it’s now time to ensure as many as possible are vaccinated this year.”