Medical centres across Victoria say they are running out of flu vaccines in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

The spread of COVID-19 has also forced medical centres to use phone consultations, rather than face-to-face appointments.

As the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc across the country and the world, Australians were urged to get the influenza vaccine ahead of the flu season.

But medical centres say the federal government is struggling to provide enough vaccines.

In Melbourne, Pound Road Medical Centre practice manager Maria Wheeler says there’s a strong demand for the flu vaccine.

“It’s really high, especially since the media telling the people to go and get the flu vaccine but unfortunately the government is unable to provide stock to all the medical centers and pharmacies,” she said.

“So, we have patients calling in everyday and asking and unfortunately we don’t have any in stock at the moment but all patients are trying to get the flu vaccine done this year.”

In March, the federal health department announced it would be securing the largest ever supply of flu vaccines to meet anticipated high demand.

Meanwhile, millions of Australians will no longer have face-to-face appointments with their GPs.

Virtual appointments are being conducted over the phone, with doctors and staff trying to minimise the risks.

“Since Monday the 30^th we started doing phone consults – most of the patients are fine with that,” Ms Wheeler explained.

“Some doctors are scared – especially those who have younger children, so with the phone consults it’s reassuring that they don’t have to be in contact with patients in case they [test] positive.”

To reduce the risk of contracting the coronavirus the phone consultations will be carried out by most Victorian clinics, until further notice.

Photo: Bill Smith (CC BY 2.0)