Page 1171 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 24 April 1990
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MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I thank Mr Stefaniak for his question. I am aware of media reports in regard to a shortage of influenza vaccine in the ACT and indeed throughout Australia at the present time. There has been a high demand for the vaccine following rather intense media publicity, but the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories is constantly preparing and distributing the serum and has stated that there is no need to be concerned at this time. Limited supplies of the vaccine are currently available at community pharmacies in the ACT on prescription.
I have been told that further supplies will be available from the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories this week to wholesalers and that over 600 doses were distributed to ACT pharmacies from one wholesaler in the ACT only last Friday, 20 April. Further supplies are expected to be available this week and accordingly will be available well before the end of the month, which is the optimum time for vaccinations for those who need to be vaccinated prior to the start of winter.
I should remind members of the public and Mr Stefaniak that the chief health officer does not advise that everybody should be vaccinated. The two main groups of people who ought to consider vaccinations are those who are likely to become ill if infected - for example, the aged, the infirm, those with chronic heart, lung or kidney disease, or those whose general immunity is already compromised - and those who are most likely to become infected through their work, such as health care workers dealing with those with infection. If members or the general public are unclear as to whether they fall within these categories, they should certainly consult their medical practitioners.
Educational Standards
MR WOOD: Mr Speaker, I direct a question to the Minister for Health, Education and the Arts. Does he agree with his colleague Dr Kinloch that under his Government "education is in danger of being downgraded"?
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I think Mr Wood might be slightly distorting what Dr Kinloch said. Dr Kinloch - - -
Mr Moore: He quoted.
MR HUMPHRIES: No, he did not say that, under this Government, education is likely to be downgraded. He said that there is a danger that education might be downgraded, and he mentioned there are a number of - - -
Mr Wood: In what other circumstances, for heaven's sake?
MR HUMPHRIES: Well, if you let me finish the question, I will get to the answer. The reality is that there are many
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