influenza
The week in review
Several stakeholders have taken aim at pharmacy this week… but others have expressed support for what pharmacists do The ACTU has called for changes to employment rules which would see …
When does paracetamol overuse spike?
Americans are more likely to take too much paracetamol during cold and flu season, new research has found Researchers from Massachusetts and New Jersey set out to estimate the prevalence …
Compulsory vaccination for NSW hospital health workers
Pharmacy groups have backed the announcement of compulsory vaccination for health workers who treat vulnerable patients This week NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard, unveiling the State Government’s flu strategy, said …
‘Let’s just make sure we’re getting everybody.’
Raising immunisation rates, not the timing, is the key priority in flu vaccination, says the PSA’s Shane Jackson Dr Jackson was responding to a call this week by the RACGP …
Non-GP vaccinators accused of increasing flu risk
The RACGP has criticised flu vaccine providers who are encouraging patients to be vaccinated now The group’s president, Dr Bastian Seidel, says is concerned that “some influenza vaccine providers” are …
Pharmacists neglected in pandemic planning
Pharmacists are a “largely untapped” resource in flu outbreaks and their role should be specified in pandemic planning, says one expert The Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association’s Deeble Institute for …
Improved flu vaccines fast-tracked after ‘horrific’ season
Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced the introduction of two new trivalent vaccines specifically aimed at protecting people aged over 65 He also announced the composition of the 2018 quadrivalent …
Flu hits hard in US
Fifty-three children have died due to influenza so far, with pharmacies scrambling to keep up with demand for flu meds A total of 14,676 laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalisations have been reported …
Docs call for free flu jabs for all
The RACGP is calling for free vaccinations for all Australians, following NSW’s announcement of free jabs for under-fives Children between six months and five years old will be eligible for …
Poll: do you go to work when sick?
How sick do you have to be to take time off work? A recent US study suggests that pharmacists are the most likely of the health professionals to front up …
Pharmacists working with flu-like illness
Pharmacists are the worst culprits when it comes to working while sick, new data suggests A study published in the American Journal of Infection Control showed that more than 40% …
Budget vaccine blamed for record flu season
Immunisation Coalition chair Professor Paul Van Buynder has suggested that a cheap version of the flu vaccine may have influenced 2017’s “disaster year” This year’s iteration of the flu vaccine …