COMMUNITY transmission of COVID 19 is increasing while vaccinations go down, according to medical experts.
The Victorian Chief Health Officer Dr Evelyn Wong has warned there were 2.5 times more COVID 19 cases between April and May this year than the same time last year, with an increase in people being admitted to hospitals.
Flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases are also increasing as winter draws in.
Swan Hill Priceline Pharmacy partner and pharmacist Janine Kent said people need to keep up their regular booster vaccines as new variants of the virus enter the community.
“We’re finding there’s a stigma and resistance to getting the COVID 19 vaccine,” she said.
“The COVID 19 vaccine is similar to the flu vaccine in that it isn’t about how many you have had in your life, but how recently.
“The variant keeps changing and so does the vaccine to keep up with it, and the vaccine wears off in time, just as the flu vaccine is updated each year and wears off.
“You can get the flu and COVID 19 vaccines in the same appointment, otherwise you have to wait two weeks between them.”
Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing recommends people without severe immunocompromise aged between 18 and 64 get a booster every 12 months, with people aged 65 to 74 years eligible for a dose every six months, and those over 75 are recommended to get a booster every six months.
Those with severe immunocompromise aged five to 17 are eligible for a dose every 12 months, with those aged 18 and above eligible for a booster every six months, and those aged 75 and over recommended to take the booster every six months.
Excluding wait times, Mrs Kent said COVID 19 vaccine appointments can take up to 30 minutes to allow for the 15 minutes of observation after the vaccine.
Priceline Pharmacy has vaccine appointments available and is accepting walk-ins between 9am and 12pm, and 2:30 to 5pm on weekdays.
Find your closest vaccination clinic at healthdirect.gov.au.
Flu season survival guide
– Wash or sanitise your hands thoroughly and regularly, particularly before and after touching your face
– Cough or sneeze into your elbow
– Stay home if you are unwell
– Wear a face mask if you have symptoms or visiting sensitive settings, such as aged care facilities
– Talk with your doctor now if you are at higher risk for complications from COVID 19 or the flu. Discuss what to do if you get sick, including testing options and whether you are eligible for antiviral treatment
– If you experience serious symptoms, seek medical attention.
