GPs running designated respiratory clinics will be prioritised in distribution plans for the “few million” extra surgical masks that arrived in Australia earlier this week, heath officials have confirmed.

Seven GP respiratory clinics have been established so far, with another 20 expected to get up and running over the next few days, the Department of Health’s Chief Medical Adviser, Professor Michael Kidd, said on Thursday. 

Professor Kidd also flagged challenges ahead for GPs taking on the lion’s share of influenza vaccinations this flu season, as workplaces around Australia close and cease offering free flu vaccines to employees.

“Many pharmacies, I’m told, have had to stop offering the influenza vaccine, because they literally don’t have safe physical infrastructure, and this of course will put additional pressure on our general practices,” he added.