GPs Call for Better Vaccine Support as Sydney EDs Face Record Demand
05 Aug 2026
Experts say increasing vaccination rates through general practice could help reduce pressure on hospitals.
Sydney emergency departments recorded their busiest winter day on record, with almost 10,000 patient presentations and more than 4,100 ambulance callouts from Sunday into Monday. Many of the cases were linked to influenza-like illness.
New South Wales has recorded the highest number of COVID-19, influenza and RSV cases in Australia this year. The state has reported more than 34,000 influenza cases, almost 28,000 COVID-19 cases and nearly 47,000 RSV cases.
RACGP NSW&ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman said GPs have continued encouraging patients to get vaccinated early but have faced challenges with vaccine availability.
She said some practices have experienced temporary supply issues, including shortages of the new pneumococcal vaccine, forcing eligible patients to wait until more stock becomes available.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing said there is a substantial supply of National Immunisation Program influenza and RSV vaccines. It acknowledged that increased demand from more vaccination providers has created some local distribution issues, particularly for the pneumococcal vaccine Capvaxive, with additional supplies being released.
National Immunisation Coalition Chair Dr Rod Pearce said it remains unclear why respiratory illness numbers have been particularly high in New South Wales this season. He also noted that uptake of the nasal influenza vaccine, FluMist, has been lower than expected because it is still new and many families are unfamiliar with it.
Dr Pearce said the removal of infrastructure funding for vaccination programs in general practice has gradually weakened vaccine delivery, reducing support for practice nurses and essential vaccination resources.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said greater investment in prevention and general practice is needed to help people receive care earlier and reduce avoidable hospital visits.
Dr Hoffman agreed, saying additional funding for nurse-led vaccination services in general practice would improve access to immunisation and help protect more Australians during respiratory virus season.
GPs Call for Better Vaccine Support as Sydney EDs Face Record Demand
Source: newsGP