Flu

Vaccination against influenza (flu) is important. Flu is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause widespread illness and deaths every year. Vaccination is our best defence against flu viruses.

Who should get a flu vaccine?

Vaccination experts recommend flu vaccination for all people aged 6 months and over.

Who is eligible for a free flu vaccine?

Under the National Immunisation Program, free flu vaccines are provided to the following groups who are at higher risk of complications from flu:

• children aged 6 months to less than 5 years
• all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
• people aged 6 months and over with certain medical conditions that increase their chance of severe influenza and its complications
• pregnant women (at any stage during pregnancy)
• people aged 65 years and over.
• When will flu vaccines be available?
• Free flu vaccines under the National Immunisation Program will become available in April 2021. Vaccinating in autumn provides protection before the peak influenza season.

Can I get a flu vaccine at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine?

Vaccination experts recommend waiting 14 days between getting a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine. Given this, it will be important to plan both vaccinations.

It doesn’t matter in what order you get the vaccines. However:

• if you are in earlier phases for COVID-19 vaccination, you should get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon you can. You can then plan your flu vaccination.
• if you are in later phases for COVID-19 vaccination, you should get the flu vaccine as soon as you can. This will ensure you are ready to get your COVID‑19 vaccine when it is available to you.
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When you book in for your flu vaccination, remember to tell our clinic if you have received the COVID-19 vaccine (and when you received it). This will help them to plan your appointment.

Covid-19

Getting vaccinated

If you’re an adult and it’s been 6 months or more since your last COVID-19 vaccination or infection, you can now get a booster. Top up your protection with the latest vaccine.​

Travel Vaccines

If you travel outside Australia, you may get sick from a number of diseases that vaccination can prevent. Travellers can bring these diseases into Australia when they return and cause disease outbreaks.

You should always ask your doctor or travel health clinic about vaccinations before you travel.

Your immunity to some diseases may have changed or reduced with time – you may need a booster.

Different countries have different vaccination requirements. The recommended vaccines for travelling depend on a number of factors, including:

• your age
• pregnancy or planning pregnancy
• underlying medical conditions
• vaccination history
• birthplace
• location
• season of travel.

When to get vaccinated

You should consult your doctor or visit a travel health clinic 6 to 12 weeks before you leave Australia.

It is important to see your doctor early. If you do need vaccinations:

• your body needs time to develop full immunity
• you may need several doses of a vaccine to achieve full immunity.