JOINT MEDIA RELEASE: Flu vaccine urgent to help protect asthma patients this winter
29 April 2025
The National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) are urging health professionals to talk to their asthma patients about why they need to get the flu vaccine without delay.
Predictions of an early and severe influenza season have made this even more critical with between 60 to 70 per cent of asthma attacks due to viral infections such as the common cold or influenza.
Clinical Associate Professor Debbie Rigby, Clinical Executive Lead at the NAC, said health professionals play an important role in encouraging patients to get their influenza vaccine and make sure they are protected.
“Visits to the GP or pharmacy can provide the perfect opportunity to remind patients that the flu vaccine will remain effective for up to five months and provide immunity right throughout the flu season.
PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim said it is important to stress that patients shouldn’t wait until the peak of the flu season before getting vaccinated.
“It’s still early in the season and we’re already seeing record numbers of flu cases. The latest figures show more than 67,000 laboratory-confirmed cases already this year, with cases expected to jump even higher once the cooler months hit.
“Vaccination is the best protection against severe illness. We are encouraging all Australians living with asthma to visit their local community pharmacy and speak to their pharmacist about immunisation as soon as possible.
“Every time a pharmacist dispenses a medicine for asthma management it is an opportunity to discuss influenza vaccination,” she said.
Clinical Associate Professor Rigby said that it was significant that higher risk Australians, including children and adults with asthma, now have access to free influenza vaccinations under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
“Asthma patients should be reminded that they can easily access this via thousands of community pharmacies across Australia who offer flu vaccinations and many even offer walk-in appointments.
“Each year 25 to 30 per cent of influenza vaccines are delivered by community pharmacy, so when patients come in to fill their asthma medication script, it is the perfect time to speak to them about also getting their flu vaccine.
“Now is also the ideal time for patients to schedule an annual asthma review with their GP to assess if they need to make any changes to their asthma medications and update their written asthma action plan so they stay well over winter,” said Clinical Associate Professor Rigby.
The NAC has also released a ‘10 myths about influenza’ fact sheet in time for the flu season that patients can download.
NAC media contact: Donna Le Page, Le Page PR, M: 0412 797 937 Email: donna@lepage-pr.com.au
PSA media contact: Georgia Clarke M: 0480 099 798 E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au
