Australia is in the midst of a severe flu season. There are widespread cases in communities across Australia and people of all ages are suffering from severe illness. This is because the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions saw decreased exposure to the virus in our community and this resulted in waning immunity.

In response to the flu surge, state governments across Australia have announced free flu vaccines for everyone.

While access to free vaccines is welcome and critical to protecting our communities, it has put increased pressure on already over-stretched general practices. Under the current rules, GPs must be present when flu vaccines are administered for patients to receive a Medicare Benefits Schedule rebate. So, GPs are being swamped with patients coming in for their flu shot, on top of seeing patients with respiratory illnesses, caring for COVID-positive patients, seeing those who have delayed or avoided consultations and screenings during the pandemic and providing routine care. This means that people are facing longer and longer wait times to get an appointment. 

This is why Aussie GPs are calling on the Federal Government to allow practice nurses to administer flu vaccines under the supervision of a GP in general practices. We want the Government to create a new Medicare Benefits Schedule item number for this purpose, based on existing item 10988 (which is an immunisation provided to a person by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner). 

This is a simple solution that will reduce the wait time for people to see their GP, and mean more people get the care they need when they need it.  

Please sign and share this petition urging the Government to provide an MBS item that allows practice nurses to safely administer flu vaccines so more people can see their GP when they need to.