A family of four might have to pay around $200 for vaccinations, a pharmacist says.
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An Auckland pharmacist is concerned financial barriers are preventing people from getting their flu vaccinations.
Unichem Pakuranga’s Vicky Chan told Morning Report despite the worst of the flu season having already passed, cases were still appearing, especially among children and the elderly.
Chan said the costs could add up.
“We’re talking about an average flu vaccine cost will be about $30-$35.
“And if we look at the data, more advanced flu vaccines, they can cost up to like $45 to $55 for per person. So $200, you know, for a family of four.”
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Currently, people over 65, children under 4, those who are pregnant or have health conditions are eligible for a free shot.
Chan would like to see the free eligibility widened.
“I think at the moment if you look at the eligibility for kids under 4, if they’ve got a previous hospitalisation, related to respiratory, they do get a free funded flu vaccine.”
However, those who were vulnerable and children attending primary school should also be included.
“That’s also protecting these little children when they’re mingling with the elderly, because we’ve got the grandparents doing the school rounds.
“But also protecting the parents as well because loss of productivity, not being able to get to daycare, to school – that’s a real impact on young families.
“So yes, I would love to see more funding opportunities with little ones.”
Chan said it was never too late to get the flu vaccine.
“We saw the first peak of influenza cases in mid-May and then I think we just saw a big surge of cases sort of end of July.”
She said elderly people and children still coming in with “really severe flu symptoms”.
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