An additional 800,000 flu vaccines will be made available to patients this winter, as health officials deal with an impending national shortage.
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The extra vaccines, announced on Saturday, comes as demand for immunisations this flu season has already outstripped initial estimates.
Australia's chief medical officer Anthony Hobbs announced on Saturday the increase in the number of vaccines available nationally.
"This year we anticipated an increase in demand of 10 per cent on last year because it was a severe season, but now with the extra 800,000 doses, we will have an increase of 26.5 per cent more vaccines to the Australian public," Dr Hobbs said.
"We will continue to work with chief health officers for each state and territory to distribute the vaccinations locally."
Saturday's announcement comes as ACT Health officials visited Canberra GPs this week to seize vaccines to deal with a shortage.
Canberra had been given 87,000 vaccines out of the national pool for those most at risk this flu season, such as those under-5s, people over 65, as well as pregnant women.
Dr Hobbs said after a record flu season last year, demand for vaccinations this year have skyrocketed, although this year's season is not expected to be as serious.
"This year we've seen a significant increase in demand for the vaccine right across the country, and this was expected from last year where there was a high number of cases," he said.
"It's too early in the season yet, it won't come for the next few weeks, but indications to date is that this season is no worse than any other season."
The extra doses of vaccines are set to be distributed in coming weeks, in anticipation for the peak of the flu season in August and September.
Around 500,000 of the additional doses will be manufactured in Melbourne and will be available for patients in July.
Nationally, more than 5 million vaccines have been distributed to those most at risk, with 3.4 million doses specifically for people over 65.
Dr Hobbs said while additional vaccines have been brought in to meet demand, supplies will be closely monitored.
"If there is a further increase in demand, we will work forward with [chief health officers] to secure supply."
