A supplier's clerical error might be one of the best things to happen to Goulburn this winter.
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Because it has resulted in a pharmacist receiving far more flu vaccinations than he intended, meaning the city is apparently one of the few places in Australia to have any in stock.
Sean Feely, who owns both the Goulburn Health Hub Pharmacy and Bradfordville Pharmacy, said if the mistake had happened any other year, he'd be pulling his hair out.
As it is, he's glad he'll be able to keep more people safe in a time of higher than usual demand.
"We have heaps - I think we're the only one in town that hasn't run out," said Mr Feely, adding that they have enough to get them through to the end of May.
"It's fortuitous - we got an incorrect amount in our order and ordinarily I'd have sent it back and not wanted to pay for it.
"But we've now gone through at least five times what we normally would up until now, and I wouldn't have any if I'd gotten what I ordered - who knows how or why it happened."
National demand for flu shots has been unprecedented this year due to higher awareness following COVID-19.
Orders for flu vaccinations must be placed months ahead of time, meaning no one could have anticipated the leap in demand this year.
Goulburn Priceline owner James Douglas has ripped through 1000 doses so far - three times what he would normally dispense - and has run out.
"I expect to have more by the end of the week or the beginning of next week," said Mr Douglas.
"We're just waiting on the supplier."
Mr Feely said that his supplier had indicated more flu vaccine wouldn't be available until the end of June, which may be too late for the Australian flu season.
"If I've run out by then I'm not sure I'd need more, as most people get their shots before July," he said.
"But who knows, this year might be different."
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Mr Douglas said there is a national shortage, with demand outstripping supply by between 300-400 per cent.
Most pharmacies offer the flu vaccination in-house, or customers can take their vaccine with them to the doctor to inject.
But Mr Douglas said that his understanding was that doctor's surgeries had run out, along with many pharmacies.
"Coronavirus seems to have increased people's awareness of flu vaccinations," he said.
"And maybe there is some misconception in the community that the flu shot will stop coronavirus, which it won't."
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