Brisbane Grapples with Vaccine Shortages Affecting Childhood Immunizations

Brisbane parents are being turned away from GP clinics due to a shortage of childhood vaccines. Vaccine deliveries were disrupted after a retaining wall collapsed at a Richlands distribution centre earlier this month, forcing it to close. Brisbane doctor Maria Boulton told 612 ABC Radio Brisbane her clinic was still waiting on several orders from the National Immunisation Program stockpile. The former Australian Medical Association Queensland president said they currently had shortages in vaccines for 18-month-olds and four-year-olds. Dr Boulton said she understood there could be shortages for two-month, four-month, six-month, and eight-month vaccines in the future. "We're taking it week by week, we continue to put the orders in in the hope the vaccines will come," Dr Boulton said. Dr Boulton said her clinic currently still had enough supplies of vaccines for six-to-eight-week-olds, which was a critical stage for newborns. However, she said if those supplies dwindled it was important that parents keep their babies away from sources of contamination until they got their first vaccinations. Correspondence seen by 612 ABC shows doctors were told "worse case scenario" planning was being enacted to keep supplies on shelves. Don't panic, government says A Queensland Health spokesperson said they were working with the Toll Healthcare distribution centre to ensure vaccines were still being delivered. The spokesperson said clinics should not be concerned about access to vaccine stock. "We acted immediately to ensure Toll guarantees ongoing access to vaccines following an incident at their storage facility," the spokesperson said. "This included supporting Toll as they established interim arrangements to avoid any disruption to vaccine supply. Dr Boulton said there were also some shortages with the adult flu vaccine, particularly for the over 65s. She said there was currently an unseasonable flu peak going around, and elderly people who were unable to get the flu vaccine should exercise caution. "Try to avoid crowded spaces, particularly if you're immunosuppressed or if you have any chronic illnesses that put you at higher risk of flu," she said. "Make sure you are up to date and that you don't miss that yearly flu vaccine." She said there were also shortages for the meningococcal B vaccine and the rabies vaccine.