Influenza Vaccinations

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (14:39): Supplementary question: can the minister advise why he thinks it is appropriate for patients, particularly those over 65, to have to travel potentially hundreds of kilometres in order to access this vaccine? I draw to the minister's attention the example of a resident in Millicent who had to go to Naracoorte in order to access that. Why is it appropriate for that to occur?

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Deputy Leader, you ask a question, you don't provide an explanation.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Thank you for your guidance, Mr President.

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:40): The government is continuing to try to equitably distribute vaccines right across the state. There will be shortages in both the metropolitan area and regional areas, and I can assure the honourable member that I have no doubt that shortages in regional areas cause greater inconvenience to regional citizens than metropolitan citizens experience. That is why we are working very hard to make sure that the distributions are fair.