Flu vaccine stocks in pharmacies are all but gone, as the government urgently orders a further 825,000 doses for the private market.

This year, there have been more than 55,000 notifications of influenza Australia-wide, with at least 137 patients dying from the virus.

Health department officials say demand on the private market has been “unprecedented” but note that supplies for the National Immunisation Program, as well as state and territory government programs, are currently secure.

A record number of flu vaccines were ordered this year, including 7.5 million for government programs and 4.6 million doses for the private market.