Pharmacists Amiee Hetherington and Josh Lee from Armidale Life Pharmacy are both trained to administer the influenza vaccine and also whooping cough and measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) vaccines. With this year’s flu season closing in, they thought it was a good time to start thinking about this year’s vaccine and where to go to get it.
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“This season will be an interesting one to see because 2017 was pretty bad. Many people passed away and a lot of people were sick with influenza. Then in 2018 saw a massive push for people to get the flu vaccine,” Josh said.
I would say complacency is the biggest enemy.
- Josh Lee
“As a result, I think, not many cases of flu were recorded, but in the public eye, everyone might have forgotten about it, and get a little more lax about getting their flu vaccine.
"I fear that it will be another bad year because everyone will think they didn't get it last year, so won't really have to worry about it this year."
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Josh said a lower vaccine rate could cause a higher incidence of infection.
"It really is an inexpensive, harmless process to get the flu vaccine," he said.
Amiee said because the influenza infection mutated every year the vaccine had to be changed and a new one administered before each season.
"We still inform the doctors and let them know that people have had their vaccination, and it will get uploaded onto their vaccine record," she said.
"But it can be easier for people to come in here, preferably with an appointment so there is no waiting. Between the two of us, one of us is usually here Monday to Friday.
They said the vaccines were available for anyone over the age of 16, but said they would usually suggest anyone over the age of 65 go to their doctor.
"It's free to the older community and it's actually a stronger vaccine, so they get more coverage," Josh said.
