This WA parliamentary question and answer addresses the distribution and supply of flu vaccines in Western Australia, including a temporary shortage due to a manufacturing failure and the availability of free vaccines for seniors.

AnsweredQoN 122Legislative Assembly
Asked
3 May 2001
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

(2) Pharmaceutical wholesale companies and/or flu vaccine manufacturers control the limit of flu vaccine supply. The HDWA is not aware of any capping. (3) Seniors (i.e. people 65 years of age or older) can obtain a free flu vaccine directly from their GP. (4) During April there was a flu vaccine shortage for two weeks following a vaccine manufacturing failure in Melbourne which resulted in the loss of over 120 000 flu vaccines to the market. This resulted in temporary flu vaccine shortages in the public and private sectors. (5) Following the resumption of vaccine supplies to Western Australia in late April, there is sufficient flu vaccines available to the public and private sectors to maintain our excellent record in vaccination of senior and those in the community at risk from influenza.
(3) Seniors (i.e. people 65 years of age or older) can obtain a free flu vaccine directly from their GP. (4) During April there was a flu vaccine shortage for two weeks following a vaccine manufacturing failure in Melbourne which resulted in the loss of over 120 000 flu vaccines to the market. This resulted in temporary flu vaccine shortages in the public and private sectors. (5) Following the resumption of vaccine supplies to Western Australia in late April, there is sufficient flu vaccines available to the public and private sectors to maintain our excellent record in vaccination of senior and those in the community at risk from influenza.
(4) During April there was a flu vaccine shortage for two weeks following a vaccine manufacturing failure in Melbourne which resulted in the loss of over 120 000 flu vaccines to the market. This resulted in temporary flu vaccine shortages in the public and private sectors. (5) Following the resumption of vaccine supplies to Western Australia in late April, there is sufficient flu vaccines available to the public and private sectors to maintain our excellent record in vaccination of senior and those in the community at risk from influenza.
(5) Following the resumption of vaccine supplies to Western Australia in late April, there is sufficient flu vaccines available to the public and private sectors to maintain our excellent record in vaccination of senior and those in the community at risk from influenza.

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
29 May 2001
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
26 days
(1) Flu vaccines are distributed to pharmacists by pharmaceutical wholesale companies or flu vaccine manufacturers. The Health Department of Western Australia (HDWA) does not distribute flu vaccines to pharmacists. The HDWA purchases flu vaccines directly from flu vaccine manufacturers and distributors and then distributes the flu vaccines directly to GPs.
(2) Pharmaceutical wholesale companies and/or flu vaccine manufacturers control the limit of flu vaccine supply. The HDWA is not aware of any capping.
(3) Seniors (i.e. people 65 years of age or older) can obtain a free flu vaccine directly from their GP.
(4) During April there was a flu vaccine shortage for two weeks following a vaccine manufacturing failure in Melbourne which resulted in the loss of over 120 000 flu vaccines to the market. This resulted in temporary flu vaccine shortages in the public and private sectors.
(5) Following the resumption of vaccine supplies to Western Australia in late April, there is sufficient flu vaccines available to the public and private sectors to maintain our excellent record in vaccination of senior and those in the community at risk from influenza.

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