Public Health Services is closely monitoring Tasmania's supply of flu vaccines, amid unprecedented national demand and shortages in the private market.
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The number of reported flu cases in Tasmania this year stands at 921 - more than double the 2018 total of 452.
Australia wide, influenza cases are more than three times higher than they were this time last year.
On Wednesday Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt announced an additional 400,000 flu vaccines would be brought into Australia, and made available through general practice and community pharmacy.
Tasmania's acting director of Public Health Scott McKeown said despite shortages in the private market, the supply of state-funded flu vaccines and those available through the National Immunisation Program were secure.
"We have received reports of difficulties Tasmanians have faced, who aren't eligible for a free vaccine, to access influenza vaccine from either a pharmacist or a GP," he said.
"The private market is an area which we don't have control over.
"We certainly have informed the Commonwealth last week of the difficulties Tasmanians were reporting to us."
As of May 27, more than 143,000 flu vaccines had been distributed in Tasmania under government-funded programs.
More than 90,000 of these were for Tasmanians aged 65 and older.
Dr McKeown said he expected Tasmania would be provided with its "fair share" of additional vaccines in the coming weeks.
"It will mean more Tasmanians that aren't eligible for a free flu vaccine, are able to receive one on the private market," he said.
Vaccinations
Flu vaccinations are required each year, as flu immunity is short lived and the mix of influenza viruses changes each year.
About 100,000 vaccination doses are provided free to vulnerable Tasmanians under the National Immunisation Program.
Free vaccine is available through General Practitioners for the following people:
- All children aged from six months to under five years (state funded)
- All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
- Adults aged 65 and over
- Pregnant women at any stage in their pregnancy
- Adults and children aged from 6 months with chronic medical conditions such as heart, lung, liver or kidney diseases, asthma, diabetes, cancer, impaired immunity and neuromuscular conditions
Under the state government's Winder Demand Management Plan, authorised Tasmanian pharmacist immunisers can provide private prescription flu vaccine to healthy people aged 10 years and over in approved pharmacies.
For more information visit FluTas.
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
