The Examiner has been calling for the release of the state government's winter flu strategy for more than a month. With the number of reported influenza cases increasing every day, ensuring frontline health staff are supported during the busiest time of the year is something the government should be prioritising.
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Released on Sunday, the Winter Demand Management Plan 2019 aims to ensure the state's health service - in particular, hospital emergency departments - are supported to handle increased presentations. In an Australian first, Health Minister Michael Ferguson announced that authorised pharmacists would now be able to administer the flu vaccine to children as young as 10. Labelling it as an innovation, Mr Ferguson said the plan and its timely release was to ensure Tasmania had the "greatest number of people vaccinated for the longest period of time".
However, it didn't take long for some of Australia's peak health bodies to start asking questions. In particular the government's decision to direct young people towards pharmacists. The Australian Medical Association Tasmania branch expressed its disappointment in not being consulted. According to Tasmania vice president Dr John Davis, only GPs should be administering flu vaccines.
The position was backed by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, who have since called on the government to reconsider the plan "before any patient suffers the potential negative effects of this decision". These are very strong words from two reputable health bodies. However, put simply by Pharmacy Guild of Australia Tasmania branch president John Dowling, who backed the plan, "the whole thing is about access and convenience for patients".
It's no secret that access to GP services in Tasmania is limited. It's also no secret that the best form of protection against influenza is vaccination. The government maintains it takes its advice from health experts. Despite the war of words, ensuring Tasmania has herd immunity this flu season cannot be stressed enough. The only way this will occur is if people - young and old - receive a safe and timely flu vaccination.
