Flu vaccines are beginning to arrive at Wagga pharmacies ahead of a season like no other as the coronavirus vaccine rollout continues.
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Michael O'Reilly pharmacy co-owner Joe Madden said for those who were able, receiving both the flu vaccination and the coronavirus vaccination once available was the best way to protect the community from both flu and coronavirus through the winter.
"I'll get one (a flu shot) and my family will get one, I'd recommend it to everyone," he said.
With children not yet included in the coronavirus vaccine rollout, he said he and the adult members of his family would also be getting the coronavirus vaccine when they were offered.
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The two vaccines are set to create a logistical challenge in the coming months, with the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advising a 14 day period between receiving a coronavirus vaccination and any other vaccination including influenza.
Mr Madden said because of this, ATAGI recommended everyone placed in "phase 1b" or later in Australia's vaccine rollout should be getting their flu shot as soon as possible to avoid delaying their coronavirus vaccine.
"Phase 1b" and later refers to all people in Australia who are not frontline healthcare and border workers or aged care residents and staff.
However, Mr Madden said while the flu vaccination provides 12 months of protection, it was at its most effective for the first three to four months with the peak flu season usually falling around August.
Because of this, he usually recommended people hold off until April into May to come in.
"I still feel April is the best time for protection, around about April, but there's not a rock solid line in the sand for us to be guided by," he said.
With "phase 1b" expected to begin in late March but some Australians expected to be waiting until October, Mr Madden said for each individual it may come down to predicting when the vaccine would become available depending on their place in the vaccine rollout plan, which is available on the federal government health website.
"Making sure you get that (coronavirus vaccine) as soon as possible is the priority and we don't want the influenza vaccine to be an obstacle to that," he said.
Mr Madden said subject to approval the pharmacy hoped to offer the COVID-19 vaccine this year as well, and they would be using the Australian Immunisation Register to make sure everyone who came in was spacing out their vaccines safely and effectively.
Most Australians will require a 12 week break between their first and second coronavirus vaccine doses, and the current health advice allows them to have their flu shot during that 12 week period as long as they allow 14 days between each vaccine.
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