Flu Vaccination: What You Need to Know Each Season

ByFamily Doctor Editorial

Influenza (“the flu”) sends thousands of Australians to hospital every year and causes hundreds of deaths. Annual vaccination is the most effective way to reduce your risk and protect the people around you — particularly the very young, the elderly, and people with chronic conditions. This guide covers everything you need to decide about the flu shot this year.

Who Should Get the Flu Vaccine?

Annual vaccination is recommended for everyone from 6 months of age. The National Immunisation Program provides free flu vaccine to:

  • Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
  • Adults aged 65 and over (enhanced vaccine for over-65s)
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 6 months of age
  • Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
  • People aged 6 months or older with medical conditions that put them at higher risk of severe flu:
  • Heart disease
  • Chronic lung disease including asthma
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney disease
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Neurological conditions affecting respiration
  • Immune compromise (cancer treatment, HIV, organ transplant)
  • Morbid obesity
  • Children aged 6 months to 10 years on long-term aspirin therapy

Everyone else can pay for a private vaccine — typically around $15-$30 at a pharmacy or clinic. Some workplaces offer free flu shots for employees.

When to Get Vaccinated

Peak flu season in Australia is typically June to September, but flu circulates year-round and has appeared earlier in recent years. The best time to vaccinate is April or May — giving full protection for the likely season. The vaccine’s protection drops gradually over 3-4 months, which is why annual vaccination matters.

If you miss the main vaccination window, it’s still worth getting vaccinated later in the season.

Which Vaccine?

  • Quadrivalent vaccine (four-strain) — standard option for most adults and children. Protects against two influenza A strains and two B strains.
  • Enhanced high-dose vaccine (for 65+) — four times the standard antigen dose; better protection for older adults whose immune systems respond less strongly.
  • Adjuvanted vaccine (for 65+) — another enhanced option for older adults.

Your GP or vaccination provider chooses the right vaccine for your age and risk profile.

How the Flu Vaccine Works

The vaccine contains inactivated (killed) flu viruses or virus fragments — it cannot cause flu. Your immune system recognises the strains and develops antibodies; if you’re then exposed to real flu, your immune system is primed to fight it before it makes you seriously ill.

It takes about 2 weeks after vaccination to develop full protection.

Why Annual Vaccination?

  • Flu viruses mutate rapidly; last year’s vaccine may not cover this year’s strains.
  • Immunity from the vaccine wanes over months.
  • Each year’s vaccine is updated based on global surveillance of circulating strains.

Where to Get Vaccinated

  • Your GP clinic — eligible patients get free vaccines; the consultation may be bulk billed (check your clinic’s fees page)
  • Pharmacies — trained pharmacists can administer flu vaccines to adults and older children
  • Workplace programs — many employers arrange on-site vaccination
  • Aboriginal Medical Services — for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members

What to Expect After the Vaccine

  • Sore arm at the injection site — most common; resolves in 1-2 days
  • Mild fever, aches, tiredness — suggest the immune system is responding; usually settle within 48 hours
  • Mild headache
  • Rarely — allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis, which is why you’re asked to wait 15 minutes after the vaccine)

These mild effects are not the flu — the vaccine cannot cause influenza. If you develop classic flu symptoms after vaccination, it’s either a different virus or flu caught before the vaccine took effect.

Can I Have the Flu Shot with COVID-19 Vaccination?

Yes — they can be given on the same day, usually in different arms. Current Australian guidelines support co-administration.

Pregnancy

Flu vaccination is strongly recommended during pregnancy — it’s free on the NIP. Benefits include:

  • Protection for the mother (who is at higher risk of severe flu during pregnancy)
  • Reduced risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and preterm birth associated with maternal flu
  • Protection passed to the baby that lasts the first 6 months of life — the period when they can’t be vaccinated themselves

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the flu vaccine effective?

Effectiveness varies year to year depending on how well the vaccine matches circulating strains — typically 40-60%. Even when effectiveness is lower, vaccination reduces severity and hospitalisation.

Is the flu vaccine safe for children?

Yes — extensively studied and safe from 6 months of age. Children under 9 having a flu shot for the first time need two doses a month apart; annual single doses thereafter.

Can the flu vaccine give me the flu?

No. The vaccine contains no live virus. Mild post-vaccine symptoms reflect immune response and are not influenza.

I had the flu last year — do I still need a vaccine?

Yes. Immunity from past infection is strain-specific and wanes. This year’s strains may be different.

What if I’m allergic to eggs?

Most egg-allergic patients can have standard flu vaccines safely. Severe egg allergy may require a specialist review. Egg-free recombinant vaccines are also available in some situations.

Book Your Flu Shot

The best time to vaccinate is April-May each year. Find your nearest Family Doctor clinic and book a flu shot appointment with your GP or practice nurse.

Similar Posts