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IMPACT nurse keeps busy dealing with flu vaccination demand

Last updated: 06/05/2020

IMPACT Community Health Service has been running solid this past month delivering the 2020 FLUVAX Clinic across the Discovery Coast, visiting each of the communities in the region.

Having locally-based clinics on the Coast has enabled older residents to access the clinic in their own community and as a result of COVID-19, there has been an increase in numbers.

IMPACT’s Nurse Immuniser and Child Health Nurse Pip Burton administered 355 vaccinations across six towns over 16 days.

“It's been a good response and great for these communities,” Pip said.

Pip has been running this clinic for more than 10 years.

She said they started early this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"A lot of people are concerned about COVID-19 and its effect on the community," Pip said.

“For a lot of these regional clients and their families, the social isolation is not new for them, as they are already a long way from towns.

“But they are grateful for our regional clinics as they would normally have had to travel to Bundaberg or Gladstone to get their Fluvax.”

Pip sees lots of regulars returning year after year.

She said more people were asking about the Pneumovax, perhaps because of the influence of coronavirus and how it could lead to pneumonia.

Pip and her team have had to adapt how they administer the vaccinations to conform to all the necessary precautions and accommodate social distancing.

The health service runs the clinics annually and usually winds the vaccinations up in June or July.

This year though they will provide the service as long as people keep asking about it to ensure they help protect “all the stragglers”.

Our free FLUVAX is available to:

  • All people aged over 65 years;
  • Children aged from six months to under five years;
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people;
  • All pregnant women; and
  • Individuals with medical conditions that predispose them to severe influenza.

Along with Fluvax, Pip can vaccinate for Pneumovax, Zostavax and Childhood Immunisations.

For more information or to book an appointment call 4902 2000.

Please note: This website may contain references to, or feature images, videos, and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have passed away.

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