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West Australian
7 days ago
- Health
- West Australian
Queensland deputy premier satisfied with low flu vaccination rates as cases soar
Health authorities are urging Australians to still get a flu shot but Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie says he is satisfied with his state's flu vaccine rates, which have toppled to new lows amid increasing flu-related hospitalisations. The state is facing a surge in infections this flu season, with more than 44,000 lab-confirmed cases confirmed in the state this year – 20 per cent higher than the year before. Queensland Health reported 106 flu-related deaths this year until August 9, which is 12 more than the same time last year. Pharmacy Guild of Australia president Chris Owen said 86 per cent of people hospitalised with the flu had not been vaccinated. 'You can't argue with the numbers,' he said in a statement, adding '86 per cent of people hospitalised with flu weren't vaccinated and 90 per cent of reported cases hadn't had the vaccine'. 'The message is clear: get to your community pharmacy and get vaccinated.' On Tuesday, Mr Bleijie told reporters his vaccination status was a 'private matter between me and my doctor'. 'We're not going to be a government, like former governments, dictating what people do in their own homes, their own lives or with their doctors,' he said, referring to Covid-19 restrictions and vaccination mandates. 'If people want to get the flu vaccination they are entitled to do that, I'm not going to dictate whether they should do it or not. 'We will deal with the influx of people in the hospitals, just as the health minister has been doing, with our wonderful doctors and nurses on the frontline.' Australian Medical Association president Nick Yim said the increased flu-related cases were adding to the already overrun healthcare system. 'The cases are rising, hospitalisations are rising due to influenza and that's due to the fact that many people aren't vaccinated,' Dr Yim told Weekend Today. 'And that, unfortunately, is putting pressure on our healthcare system.' He said hospitals were forced to postpone elective surgeries due to the increasing number of flu cases. 'The reason why we had to postpone elective surgery was to give a bit of breathing space due to the fact that many people were coming into hospital needing beds due to influenza and other respiratory conditions,' he said. It comes as flu vaccine rates across the country remain low, with more than 8200 people in NSW testing positive for the flu in the week ending August 2. NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said because the majority of people do not test for the flu, the figures are likely to be significantly higher. 'Everyone aged six months or older is recommended to get their flu vaccine, even previously healthy children and adults can experience severe complications from influenza,' she said. 'It's not too late to get vaccinated, getting the flu vaccine is quick, easy and recommended for everyone aged six months or older.' Dr Chant said despite the flu season nearing an end, she still urged everyone to get vaccinated. 'Influenza is a serious illness that can cause pneumonia, make chronic underlying medical conditions like diabetes, lung and heart disease much worse requiring hospital admission, and cause death,' she said. 'Complications can occur in anyone but are more likely in those at higher risk of severe illness.' In Queensland all residents are able to access the flu vaccination for free. 'Getting vaccinated not only protects individuals but also helps prevent the spread of influenza within the community,' Mr Owen said. The flu vaccine is free for NSW, WA, South Australian and Victorian residents aged six months to five years, pregnant women, Aboriginal people aged six months and over, residents over 65 and those with chronic health conditions.
News.com.au
7 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Queensland deputy premier satisfied with low flu vaccination rates as cases soar
Health authorities are urging Australians to still get a flu shot but Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie says he is satisfied with his state's flu vaccine rates, which have toppled to new lows amid increasing flu-related hospitalisations. The state is facing a surge in infections this flu season, with more than 44,000 lab-confirmed cases confirmed in the state this year – 20 per cent higher than the year before. Queensland Health reported 106 flu-related deaths this year until August 9, which is 12 more than the same time last year. Pharmacy Guild of Australia president Chris Owen said 86 per cent of people hospitalised with the flu had not been vaccinated. 'You can't argue with the numbers,' he said in a statement, adding '86 per cent of people hospitalised with flu weren't vaccinated and 90 per cent of reported cases hadn't had the vaccine'. 'The message is clear: get to your community pharmacy and get vaccinated.' However, when asked about the hospitalisation and flu rates, Mr Bleijie said he was comfortable with current vaccination rates and would 'deal with' the increasing number of hospitalisations as they came. On Tuesday, Mr Bleijie told reporters his vaccination status was a 'private matter between me and my doctor'. 'We're not going to be a government, like former governments, dictating what people do in their own homes, their own lives or with their doctors,' he said, referring to Covid-19 restrictions and vaccination mandates. 'If people want to get the flu vaccination they are entitled to do that, I'm not going to dictate whether they should do it or not. 'We will deal with the influx of people in the hospitals, just as the health minister has been doing, with our wonderful doctors and nurses on the frontline.' Queensland Premier David Crisafulli offered a similar answer when asked about his own vaccination status, saying it was 'between me and my doctor'. Australian Medical Association president Nick Yim said the increased flu-related cases were adding to the already overrun healthcare system. 'The cases are rising, hospitalisations are rising due to influenza and that's due to the fact that many people aren't vaccinated,' Dr Yim told Weekend Today. 'And that, unfortunately, is putting pressure on our healthcare system.' He said hospitals were forced to postpone elective surgeries due to the increasing number of flu cases. 'The reason why we had to postpone elective surgery was to give a bit of breathing space due to the fact that many people were coming into hospital needing beds due to influenza and other respiratory conditions,' he said. It comes as flu vaccine rates across the country remain low, with more than 8200 people in NSW testing positive for the flu in the week ending August 2. NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said because the majority of people do not test for the flu, the figures are likely to be significantly higher. 'Everyone aged six months or older is recommended to get their flu vaccine, even previously healthy children and adults can experience severe complications from influenza,' she said. 'It's not too late to get vaccinated, getting the flu vaccine is quick, easy and recommended for everyone aged six months or older.' Dr Chant said despite the flu season nearing an end, she still urged everyone to get vaccinated. 'Influenza is a serious illness that can cause pneumonia, make chronic underlying medical conditions like diabetes, lung and heart disease much worse requiring hospital admission, and cause death,' she said. 'Complications can occur in anyone but are more likely in those at higher risk of severe illness.' In Queensland all residents are able to access the flu vaccination for free. 'Getting vaccinated not only protects individuals but also helps prevent the spread of influenza within the community,' Mr Owen said. The flu vaccine is free for NSW, WA, South Australian and Victorian residents aged six months to five years, pregnant women, Aboriginal people aged six months and over, residents over 65 and those with chronic health conditions.
Sydney Morning Herald
01-07-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
As it happened: Brisbane on Tuesday, July 1
Go to latest Pinned post from 1.30pm Healthcare gets booster shot as pharmacy prescribing laws become permanent By Catherine Strohfeldt Community healthcare access is expanding from today as Queensland's new pharmacy prescribing laws come into effect. The changes remove the need for patients to visit a GP or hospital in some circumstances, instead enabling eligible community pharmacists to treat minor health issues. The services include treatments for ear infections, minor wound care, skin conditions, and reflux. Prescriptions can also be provided and filled for such things as hormonal birth control and hay fever medications. Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland president Chris Owen thanked the government for making the program permanent after its trial ended earlier this year. 'The continuation of these services marks an important shift in how primary health care is delivered in Queensland, making better use of pharmacists' clinical skills, and improving patient access to frontline care,' Owen said. 'Most Australians live within 2.5 kilometres of a community pharmacy, many of which are open after hours or on weekends.' Pharmacists must complete additional training to be eligible for the program. 3.10pm Today's stories Thanks for joining us today for our live coverage of news in Brisbane and beyond. We'll be back tomorrow morning. If you're just catching up, here are some of the big stories that made headlines today. Flights to and from Brisbane have been cancelled or delayed, with 'severe weather' forecast to lash parts of the east coast. The Queensland government will set up a new Treasury Transaction Team to attract private capital to help the government deliver its infrastructure pipeline, the treasurer has announced. The identity of the Melbourne childcare worker charged with more than 70 offences, including child rape, has been revealed, as authorities say 1200 children must get tested for infectious diseases. Videos, police fact sheets and court documents reveal the moments leading up to and after the violent melee that left former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas with a gruesome eye injury. Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater has confirmed that lingering injury concerns for Reece Walsh had nothing to do with his State of Origin omission in favour of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. Healthcare gets booster shot as pharmacy prescribing laws become permanent By Catherine Strohfeldt Community healthcare access is expanding from today as Queensland's new pharmacy prescribing laws come into effect. The changes remove the need for patients to visit a GP or hospital in some circumstances, instead enabling eligible community pharmacists to treat minor health issues. The services include treatments for ear infections, minor wound care, skin conditions, and reflux. Prescriptions can also be provided and filled for such things as hormonal birth control and hay fever medications. Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland president Chris Owen thanked the government for making the program permanent after its trial ended earlier this year. 'The continuation of these services marks an important shift in how primary health care is delivered in Queensland, making better use of pharmacists' clinical skills, and improving patient access to frontline care,' Owen said. 'Most Australians live within 2.5 kilometres of a community pharmacy, many of which are open after hours or on weekends.'
The Age
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Age
As it happened: Brisbane on Tuesday, July 1
Go to latest Pinned post from 1.30pm Healthcare gets booster shot as pharmacy prescribing laws become permanent By Catherine Strohfeldt Community healthcare access is expanding from today as Queensland's new pharmacy prescribing laws come into effect. The changes remove the need for patients to visit a GP or hospital in some circumstances, instead enabling eligible community pharmacists to treat minor health issues. The services include treatments for ear infections, minor wound care, skin conditions, and reflux. Prescriptions can also be provided and filled for such things as hormonal birth control and hay fever medications. Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland president Chris Owen thanked the government for making the program permanent after its trial ended earlier this year. 'The continuation of these services marks an important shift in how primary health care is delivered in Queensland, making better use of pharmacists' clinical skills, and improving patient access to frontline care,' Owen said. 'Most Australians live within 2.5 kilometres of a community pharmacy, many of which are open after hours or on weekends.' Pharmacists must complete additional training to be eligible for the program. 3.10pm Today's stories Thanks for joining us today for our live coverage of news in Brisbane and beyond. We'll be back tomorrow morning. If you're just catching up, here are some of the big stories that made headlines today. Flights to and from Brisbane have been cancelled or delayed, with 'severe weather' forecast to lash parts of the east coast. The Queensland government will set up a new Treasury Transaction Team to attract private capital to help the government deliver its infrastructure pipeline, the treasurer has announced. The identity of the Melbourne childcare worker charged with more than 70 offences, including child rape, has been revealed, as authorities say 1200 children must get tested for infectious diseases. Videos, police fact sheets and court documents reveal the moments leading up to and after the violent melee that left former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas with a gruesome eye injury. Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater has confirmed that lingering injury concerns for Reece Walsh had nothing to do with his State of Origin omission in favour of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. Healthcare gets booster shot as pharmacy prescribing laws become permanent By Catherine Strohfeldt Community healthcare access is expanding from today as Queensland's new pharmacy prescribing laws come into effect. The changes remove the need for patients to visit a GP or hospital in some circumstances, instead enabling eligible community pharmacists to treat minor health issues. The services include treatments for ear infections, minor wound care, skin conditions, and reflux. Prescriptions can also be provided and filled for such things as hormonal birth control and hay fever medications. Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland president Chris Owen thanked the government for making the program permanent after its trial ended earlier this year. 'The continuation of these services marks an important shift in how primary health care is delivered in Queensland, making better use of pharmacists' clinical skills, and improving patient access to frontline care,' Owen said. 'Most Australians live within 2.5 kilometres of a community pharmacy, many of which are open after hours or on weekends.'
The Guardian
09-03-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
High street opticians could use AI to spot dementia risk with eye scan
High street opticians could play a key role in pinpointing individuals at risk of dementia by spotting distinctive patterns in the retinas of those in the early stages of cognitive decline. These diagnoses would carried out during routine eye checks. The prospect follows the development of an AI technique known as Quartz that can be used to study eye scans and identify key differences in the shapes and sizes of retinal blood vessels in a few seconds. The technology automatically measures width and the extent to which these tiny veins and arteries – known as arterioles and venules – twist and turn. The blood vessels in the eye act as an extension of those in the brain and the development of Quartz gives researchers a unique opportunity to analyse retinal scans as a non-invasive way to assess the characteristics of blood vessels elsewhere. In particular, it allows them to study the eye for markers of brain health and for signs of neurodegeneration. Scientists based at the newly formed research centre City St George's, University of London used Quartz to carry out eye scans of more than 63,000 people aged between 40 and 69. The team then assessed each person's cognitive score using a combination of tests of memory, reaction time and intelligence and compared results with images of their eye scans. The researchers found that those possessing retinal blood vessels that had reduced width and had particular patterns of twisting were linked to lowered scores in tests for memory, reaction time and intelligence. These associations were adjusted for age, sex and ethnicity. As to the reasons for this linkage, the scientists believe changes in retinal blood vessels may be due to reduced blood supply in the brain, which in turn may be an early cause or consequence of diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's. The crucial point is that by studying the eye in this way it should become possible to pinpoint those in the early stages of neurodegenerative conditions. This point was stressed by Professor Chris Owen, lead author of the study which was funded by Alzheimer's Research UK and published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia. He said the technique could one day be 'seamlessly embedded' into the daily routines of high street opticians and eye clinics. 'It would provide an easily accessible, low cost and quick way to flag people who are at risk of developing neurodegenerative conditions in the future without the need of invasive tests.' His comments were backed by David Thomas, head of policy for Alzheimer's Research UK. He described the prospect of developing a way to detect early signs of dementia through routine eye tests at a high street optician as a gamechanger. 'Integrating these scans with existing tests, like brain scans, would ensure people get the full picture of their condition, and the support they deserve, more quickly,' he said. At present, there are no treatments that can cure neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease, and the development of a test that could pinpoint individuals in the early stages of untreatable condition raises concerns. However, Thomas stressed that only individuals who specifically request a retinal eye scan that would reveal their possible cognitive decline would be given such a test. 'It is also very unlikely that we will have this technique ready for high street use for another five years. By that time the first effective treatments for dementias may have become available. 'When these arrive, we will want to have ways to pinpoint those in the early stages of dementia, and eye scan tests could prove invaluable for doing this.'
