Pharmacies wait on vaccines as Department of Health stats show flu cases continue to rise

Statistics from the Department of Health and Human Services show there have been 132 reported cases of flu in Bendigo so far this year - an increase of 23 cases since May 19.

Just 18 cases of flu were reported for the same time period in 2018.

Pharmacies in Bendigo are expecting more flu vaccines to arrive as soon as next week.

Chemist Warehouse, Priceline Marketplace and Thomas and Chong in Castlemaine were expecting orders in the next two weeks.

"We are still getting a lot of calls (from people) and have been taking contacts down of people who are interested but we are making no clear guarantees," Priceline pharmacist Shanthan Govender said.

"Hopefully (more will arrive) by mid next week but it is not a guarantee."

UFS Strathfieldsaye pharmacist Cheryl Smith said she expected the next order of vaccines to fill the demand for the rest of the flu season.

"You can still get some of supply from the government (if you're eligible) but private supplies (for the general population) have been hard to get," she said.

"We're thinking maybe next week and have heard one of the suppliers are bringing in more stock from overseas. We hope it will be all we need for the season.

"We didn't think (vaccine supplies) was going to be a problem, then we ordered more than usual. There is more of a demand. More people being aware of being vaccinated."

Ms Smith said people who are at higher risk of contracting influenza are eligible for a free flu vaccine through the government.

Those people include children aged from six months to under five years, Victorians aged over 65, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and anyone with a chronic condition or weakened immune system.

Statistics from DHHS show 14,880 Victorians have contracted influenza this year. Of that 1475 cases were in children under the age of four.

In Bendigo, six cases of flu in children under four have been reported so far this year.

Bendigo Community Health Services director of primary health care services Graem Kelly said the government-issued flu vaccines targeted the groups most at risk of the flu.

"You can see from the statistics that (the target groups) are consistent with those who are contracting it," he said.

"It's an opportunity to remind people that, unlike what the internet says, vaccines are tested over and over and 99 per cent of health professionals ensure all children are vaccinated.

Mr Kelly said it was important for pregnant women to get a flu vaccination to protect their unborn child.

"Mothers and families with young children should go to their local GP, there are always a few variables that need to be discussed to ensure young ones at risk are appropriately vaccinated," he said.

"There can be issues with the maturity of the baby's immunity system. So a discussion with a GP (is important)."

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