Who should get vaccinated against influenza?

Yearly influenza vaccination is recommended for people aged 6 months and over. Anyone who wants to protect themselves against influenza can talk to their GP about getting vaccinated.

The influenza vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for:

• Children aged 6 months to under 5 years

• All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over

• People aged 5 years or over who have medical conditions that mean they have a higher risk of getting seriously unwell, such as:

  • cardiac disease

  • chronic respiratory conditions

  • chronic neurological conditions

  • immunocompromising conditions

  • diabetes and other metabolic disorders

  • renal disease

  • haematological disorders

  • children aged six months to 10 years on long-term aspirin therapy.

  • People aged 65 years or over.

• Pregnant women (at any stage of pregnancy)

• People aged 65 years or over.

Your GP or practice nurse can advise if you or your child have a specified medical risk condition.

Patients who are not eligible for a free vaccine can purchase the flu vaccine from the clinic for the out of pocket cost of $25.

What about people with allergies?

The egg-based influenza vaccines contain only minute traces of egg protein. People with egg allergy, including a history of anaphylaxis, can be vaccinated with these influenza vaccines. If you have an egg allergy, please discuss this with your GP. There is now an egg-free option; however, it is currently not available on the NIP and is available to purchase at our clinic. If you have any questions, please ask your GP or nurse.

** People should not receive the influenza vaccine if they have experienced anaphylaxis after a previous dose of any influenza vaccine. **

How do I get vaccinated against influenza?

Influenza vaccines come as a single vaccine that covers four strains of this year’s flu virus. It is given as a needle, usually in the upper arm. It is important to get the right vaccine for your age. This is particularly relevant to children (6 months to 9 years) and those over 65. Your GP or nurse can tell you which vaccine they would recommend for you or your child's influenza vaccination.

What are the potential side effects?

The viruses in a flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that may occur are soreness, redness, and/or swelling where the injection was given, headache (low grade), fever, muscle aches, nausea, or fatigue. If these problems occur, they begin soon after vaccination and usually are mild and short-lived. A flu shot, like other injections, can occasionally cause fainting. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears. As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.