AS has been widely publicised, COVID-19 vaccines are about to begin their rollout in Australia.
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With the vaccination phases having been released, people are now being encouraged to monitor when they are likely to receive their two instalments, and plan their flu shot around it.
The annual flu jab cannot be administered within 14 days of receiving the vaccines, and while the additional planning may seem like nuisance, TerryWhite Chemmart chief pharmacist Brenton Hart said it's important for people to remember just how dangerous the flu is.
"People should not be lulled into a false sense of complacency about the influenza virus," he stated.
"It is highly infectious, and it is important for people to continue getting vaccinated and to plan now so they can be vaccinated for both the flu and COVID-19 in a timely manner."
"It's important that people remember the health risks of the influenza virus - an incredibly infectious respiratory disease that can leave people unwell for a week or more, and in the worst cases, result in hospitalisation or death.
"When planning and scheduling the timing of their vaccinations, we encourage people to seek advice from their immunisation provider and to discuss their personal health circumstances with their GP or pharmacist prior to receiving their vaccinations."
The advice to leave at least a fortnight between receiving a COVID-19 vaccination and the flu jab has come from The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.
Quarantine, border and front line health care workers, as well as aged care and disability care staff and residents will soon start receiving the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
However, more than 13 million Australians will qualify to receive their first COVID-19 vaccination from early May, which will be the TGA approved AstraZeneca/University of Oxford vaccine.
This vaccine also needs to be given in two doses, four to 12 weeks apart.
