The shingles vaccine is also free to the older group. But if younger people want it, the price is over $200. 

Anyone who has shingles will tell you it is worth it.

Then what about whooping cough? It is becoming mandatory for grandparents to have it before being admitted to the new child – and a good idea, especially as one in nine older people who get whooping cough end up in hospital. But it costs about $50. 

Medicare rebates have been frozen for at least four years, and this means patients are often invited to make up the shortfall.

As well as this, the rebates were to be indexed, but the government cynically did this at half the rate of the COI so it was declining in value anyway.

The government relies on doctors putting up with it and being obliged to pass part on the cost onto the patients. 

The American Heart Association has noted the advantages of coconut fat as a food.

Not described in the published data is what is being used as well. If it is sugar then maybe there is no advantage. 

Cases of flu are still turning up. It is not too late if you haven’t had a shot yet.