Terry White Chemmart Urana Pharmacist Ben Brndusic is encouraging locals to ensure they schedule both vaccines in a timely matter.
“In all cases, the flu vaccination should be given at least 14 days apart from any dose of the COVID-19 vaccine,” Mr Brndusic said.
“People should not be lulled into a false sense of complacency about the influenza virus. It is highly infectious, and it is important for people to continue getting vaccinated and to plan now so they can be vaccinated for both the flu and COVID-19 in a timely manner.
“An annual flu vaccination is the best way to prevent yourself from getting the flu, and from then passing it on to someone else in the community.
With COVID-19 vaccinations (Pfizer/BioNTech) already on the rollout for front line workers and aged care staff across the country, Mr Brndusic said people should consider when they will be likely to receive their COVID-19 vaccination.
“Most Australians will qualify to receive their first COVID-19 vaccination from early May, which will be the TGA approved AstraZeneca/University of Oxford vaccine,” he said.
“When planning and scheduling the timing of their vaccinations, we encourage people to seek advice from their immunisation provider and to discuss their personal health circumstances with their GP or pharmacist prior to receiving their vaccinations.
“While we may not know yet how the flu seasons are going to evolve on the back of COVID-19, a flu vaccination remains a critical component in your arsenal against tackling influenza.
“It’s important that people remember the health risks of the influenza virus - an incredibly infectious respiratory disease that can leave people unwell for a week or more, and in the worst cases, result in hospitalisation or death.
The advice to leave at least a fortnight between receiving a COVID-19 vaccination and the flu jab has come from The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.
Quarantine, border and frontline health care workers, as well as aged care and disability care staff and residents are currently in the process of receiving the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
From early May, more than 13 million Australians will qualify to receive their first COVID-19 which will be the TGA approved AstraZeneca University of Oxford vaccine.
Bookings for the flu vaccination are now open and available online at Terry White Chemmart pharmacies.
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