Australians are getting flu shots in record numbers, and Bathurst is no exception.
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In the wake of COVID-19, the advice from medical experts was to vaccinate as early as possible, in a bid to reduce the pressure on hospital systems during the pandemic.
More than 7.3 million flu shots have been administered across the country so far this year, compared to 4.5 million this time in 2019 and 3.5 million in 2018.
Pharmacist at Capital Chemist, Jessica Morgan-Thomas said the response to early vaccination advice "was incredible."
"There was a massive uptake (for the flu vaccine), in one week alone we went through between 700 and 800 vaccines, that was our total figure for the year before," she said.
Ms Morgan-Thomas said as a result of the nation wide uptake, there were supply issues earlier on, which have since been sorted.
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She said the manufacturers didn't expect demand for the vaccine to be so high, but as a result have increased supplies to address any shortages.
"There is plenty of stock now" she said, adding for people who have yet to get a vaccination, it's not yet too late.
She said this year, they had also seen an increase in people getting the flu shot for the first time.
"People are following the advice of medical experts, we've had lots of people coming in and saying they've not had a flu shot before this year, but thought it was a good idea to get one," she said.
Pharmacist at Terry White Pharmacy in Bathurst, Lydia Gaidell, said she too had seen an exceptional uptake to the advice to get a flu shot this year.
"We've seen a lot of people who have not previously had the vaccination come in, whether they needed it to visit a nursing home, or needed it as part of their job description," she said.
Ms Gaidell said while supplies were affected earlier on, but with vaccines now readily available, she encouraged those who has missed out or not yet had their injection to be vaccinated.
"The antibodies (on average) last in the body for three to four months, which will cover you for the winter season.
"Because of our climate, the winter season in Bathurst lasts a bit longer, so it's definitely not too late to have the vaccination," she said.