Running commentary, page-25

I had a flu shot at my local inner Melbourne API Priceline Pharmacy ($24.95).

It was early afternoon. The pharmacist said he'd already done 20, and many more had booked. He said demand was high.

As was the case last year, the Priceline booking system worked extremely well. Probably due to Federal Department of Health requirements, it asks for a lot of personal information.

I can't stand Chemist Warehouse with its narrow aisles but it wasn't an option ($14.99) as the local outlet lacks a consultation room, so it was not on the list of available locations.

It's surprising Priceline has put the cost up by $5 compared with last year but presumably API knows its market.

If it improves returns for shareholders (I have SOL, a part owner of API but not the latter) then good on it.

I am not paranoid about COVID-19, and in Victoria we've had enormous mismanagement from the Labor Party including Daniel Andrews who refused point blank at first to allow the defence forces to look after hotel quarantine - this cost 801 lives - but for COVID's vaccine rollout, we need properly functioning mass vaccination centres plus competent operators like Priceline.

"Relying" on GPs is hopeless as not only do some lack a suitable room for a nurse to give the shot, but some make patients wait outside their premises during coronavirus. Completely unacceptable, and sadly some GPs (and the AMA, though RACGP is not as bad) are greedy to boot.

Perhaps in a few weeks Priceline will start offering COVID-19 vaccinations, as Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt is suggesting availability of the vaccine is about to ramp up further given CSL's production at its Parkville, Melbourne facility.