GPs lead ‘concerted effort’ to boost flu protection in SA

Just weeks into the role, South Australia’s new Health and Wellbeing Minister Blair Boyer wasted little time delivering a key message to the public.
 
In a visit to Adelaide’s Arkaba Medical Centre – the RACGP’s 2025 South Australian General Practice of the Year – he, alongside SA’s Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier, received flu vaccinations directly from RACGP Board and SA Chair Dr Siân Goodson on Monday.
 
Following a record flu season in 2025, and the start of a new state-run program delivering a needle-free, intranasal vaccination for young children, Dr Goodson welcomed the chance to work together with officials for an important public health opportunity.
 
‘It was good to see a concerted effort between GPs and SA Health to get that messaging across,’ she told newsGP.
 
‘We know that increased vaccination rates will reduce hospitalisations and ultimately reduce deaths from flu, so we’re really trying to get that public messaging out there to encourage better uptake of vaccines across all ages within South Australia.
 
‘It’s great to see them rolling up their sleeves and having their vaccines in a general practice.’
 
Another patient, aged two and a half, received his intranasal vaccine – sold as FluMist – at the same time.
 
‘It was pain-free, it was simple, he was smiling afterwards,’ Dr Goodson said.
 
‘I think it’s going to be a really useful thing to try and increase vaccination rates among young kids in South Australia and really prevent hospitalisations and some of the more severe consequences of flu in young children.’
 
The RACGP Chair said the event helped show how well placed GPs are to counsel patients and advise on flu vaccines.
 
‘We know that if your GP recommends the vaccine, you’re more likely to have it,’ she said.
 
‘There’s definitely some vaccine fatigue among our patients since COVID.
 
‘It’s about offering reassurance that it’s very safe for most people to have a flu vaccine, it’s very easy and it really does protect the more vulnerable people in our communities if more people have vaccinations.
 
‘Certainly in my clinic we’ve started doing flu clinics already, we’re opportunistically vaccinating patients when they come in for other reasons and we’re getting really good uptake.
 
‘Having those conversations between a GP and a patient is so important and really does make a difference.’
 
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