More than 500 residents have received their flu shot at an innovative drive-through style clinic amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
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Bega Valley Medical Practice general practitioner Erika Jaensch was behind the idea, which involved a text message, email and social media drive to let patients know the clinic would be available at The Bega Showground over the weekend.
If you get influenza you are immune suppressed.
- General practitioner Erika Jaensch
Dr Jaensch said it was a "wonderful model to try out", and was a test run for future mass community vaccinations of a possible coronavirus vaccine if one is ever successfully developed.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned this week, more infections may occur as social interactions increase with the easing of some social distancing measures this week.
From Friday, two adults will be allowed to visit home other than their own for any reason, with the number of children in the home not regulated, regardless of how many people live there.
Dr Jaensch said more residents are seeking an influenza vaccine ahead of winter, with concerns they may have extra health complications if they come in contact with COVID-19.
The weekend clinic, which saw 549 residents immunised over Saturday and Sunday, was open only to residents aged 15 and over who were eligible for the government-funded injections, she said.
Dr Jaensch said keeping the rate of influenza down this year is also crucial due to current medical services availability, and social distancing and hygiene measures have kept it at bay so far this flu season.
"The flattened [COVID-19] curve has given us time to prepare for when socialisation is relaxed," Dr Jaensch said.
"If you get influenza you are immune suppressed.
"It was great to see what's happened, but I'm aware once it's relaxed and movement increases the possibility of an increase could occur."
"One of the great things is we had quite a few people who have never had one before,' Dr Jaensch said.
"We had a good range of people, but most were over the age of 65."
Dr Jaensch said she has downloaded the federal government's new COVIDSafe mobile phone application, designed to reduce the time in contacting people exposed to coronavirus.
"Personally, I've been happy to download it. I think it's important," she said.
"There has been good tracing of people so far, so anything I can do to to assist that is a great idea."
She said the State Emergency Service's Bega Valley unit helped with logistics on the day, proving the clinic could be successfully run by volunteers.
Just seven weeks into her role as NSW Southern Local Health District CEO, Margaret Bennett said the region is focused on increasing flu vaccinations.
"I want to stress the importance of staff focus on flu immunisation," Ms Bennett told staff last week.
"It's great to see the significant numbers that have taken up immunisation, but never is it more important that we reach the highest possible level of immunisation, not just for the wellbeing of all of our staff, but also the patients we serve.
"I think the worst thing that could happen is high fly [rates], followed by COVID-19 as well.
"So, we don't want the double-whammy and we need to take appropriate action in that regard."
Ms Bennett said the health district had been focused on identifying the one case of community contact recently recorded in the Goulburn area.
As of Monday, the health district said there were no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the region.