This CPD activity is sponsored by Reckitt. All content is the true, accurate and independent opinion of the speakers and the views expressed are entirely their own.[/caption]
Sources: Australasian College of Pharmacy. Management of reflux: a guideline for pharmacists. Queensland Health. Queensland Community Pharmacy Gastro-oesophageal Reflux and Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease – Clinical Practice Guideline. NSW Health. NSW Pharmacist Practice Standards for gastro-oesophageal reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.[/caption]
Dr Ming S Soh PhD, BPharm (Hons)[/caption]
New strains, updated recommendations and funding changes require pharmacists to stay vigilant this season.
Flu season is underway and it’s already taking a toll, with 112 influenza-related deaths recorded this year.
There were 25,430 recorded cases of influenza in the first quarter of 2026 – following a whopping 48,641 cases in Q1 2025, and 1738 deaths caused by influenza
After the ‘worst flu year on record’, patients have been urged to prioritise receiving their flu shot in 2026.
Vaccination urgency is particularly pertinent this season due to new circulating strains, including Subclade K, a branch of the H3N2 influenza family, which is spreading much earlier – and faster – in the flu season.
Here’s what pharmacists need to know about the 2026 influenza season.
There’s been a slow start to flu vaccine uptake
While it’s early in the 2026 flu vaccine rollout, coverage is concerningly low in certain priority groups – with some jurisdictions faring worse than others.
Vaccination rates are highest in older Australians aged 75 years and over, with national coverage sitting at 11.7%. But young children aged 2–4 years, who are at risk of severe complications, hospitalisation and death from influenza, have some of the lowest vaccination rates in the country (1.4%). And in South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania, vaccine coverage in this age cohort is less than 1%.
Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 2–4, the national vaccine average sits below 1%.
Not just to protect grandkids: ATAGI warns of pertussis in older adults
Recent guidance from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) reminds health professionals that pertussis is not confined to childhood, with cases increasing among adults in recent years.
Older adults and individuals with chronic illnesses have higher pertussis morbidity and mortality rates in comparison to healthy adults.
While not NIP-funded, ATAGI and the Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends adults >65 receive a dose of dTpa every 10 years.
When administering other vaccines such as influenza COVID-19 to patients in the age cohort, pharmacists should either inquire when they had their last dTpa vaccine or check the Australian Immunisation Register.
Pertussis-containing vaccines can be safely co-administered with the influenza or COVID-19 vaccine.
Remember to accurately record funding source
Along with funded flu vaccines under the National Immunisation Program, various state-based programs funded vaccines have also been announced – so pharmacists must ensure they are using the correct stock and claiming process via the Pharmacy Programs Administrator (PPA).
Various funded state and territory flu vaccination programs include:
- Queensland: funded intranasal flu vaccine for children aged 2–5 years, and a broader free flu program for Australians aged 6 months and older.
- Western Australia: funded intranasal flu vaccine for children aged 2-11 years, plus a free state program for people aged 12–64 years who are not otherwise eligible under the NIP from 1 May to 30 June 2026.
- New South Wales: funded intranasal flu vaccine for children aged 2 to under 5 years.
- South Australia: funded intranasal flu vaccine for children aged 2 to under 5 years.
In addition to selecting the correct stock for each corresponding program, accurate claiming for administration fees is essential. Incorrect claims through (PPA) can result in stock discrepancies, audit and compliance issues.
Medadvisor recently updated their guidance for recording of funding sources in clinical recording systems – any vaccines administered under state-funded programs should be recorded as ‘other’.
Funded FluMist vaccines now available in WA
The Western Australian government has announced that children aged 2–11 years can now access FluMist, the intranasal influenza vaccine, through their local pharmacy as part of the government’s 2026 WA Winter Strategy.
PSA is urging parents to protect their kids against influenza, with the needle-free influenza vaccine providing another vaccination option.
There are 130,000 doses available across WA, which is anticipated to increase influenza vaccination rates among young children.
PSA WA Branch President, Kristian Ray MPS, said that ‘Giving parents and patients the choice to receive a cost-free, needle-free vaccination through community pharmacies will make it easier for families to protect their children ahead of flu season.’
