Health sector has third highest inflation in Australia: ABS New figures show the 6.1% increase for the 12 months up to April was only exceeded by alcohol and tobacco, and insurance and financial services.
‘Alarming’: Flu vaccination rates fall over 12% It’s the lowest level recorded by the NCIRS in at least four years, as health authorities warn of an increase in influenza-associated deaths.
In Practice: AIR updates ahead of flu season The Australian Immunisation Register has made enhancements to COVID-19 and influenza vaccine information in preparation for the 2024 winter season.
New tool could ‘change the trajectory’ of Indigenous heart consults Heart disease is the leading cause of preventable death for First Nations people, but there is hope a new GP resource could help address that.
Australian child vaccination rates continue to fall Many jurisdictions are close to the herd immunity threshold for highly infectious diseases like measles, with some areas especially vulnerable.
Vulnerable patients left waiting amid ongoing Shingrix shortage The Commonwealth is being urged to shore up supply, with wait lists at some practices extending beyond six months to access the subsidised vaccine.
Australia’s total food consumption falls: ABS The cost-of-living crisis has forced changes to eating habits, with shoppers choosing cheap and convenient items over fruit and veggies.
Q fever vaccination added to the AIR The immunisations, which can only be administered once in a person’s life, were previously tracked by a private meat processing company.
Progress being made on ‘huge problem’ for GPs Endlessly inputting the same clinical information in different systems may soon be a relic of the past, thanks to a concerted push to improve interoperability.
First cell-based flu vaccine added to National Immunisation Program The locally made Flucelvax QUAD vaccine is due to be available on the NIP for certain patients from the beginning of March.