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Annual vaccination against influenza reduces your chances of catching the flu and the severity of the flu if you do catch it.
The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends annual influenza vaccination for any person aged 6 months or older who wishes to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza.
Each year the National Influenza Vaccine Program for Older Australians and the National Indigenous Pneumococcal and Influenza Immunisation Program is conducted, with vaccine available free for:
Influenza vaccine is also strongly recommended (but not funded) for the following people.
The best time to be vaccinated against influenza is in autumn, before the influenza season starts. Vaccination usually takes up to two weeks to be effective, so the sooner you get it the better.
Every year, as the vaccine is changed to ensure it protects against the most recent influenza virus strains.
The vaccine is about 70-80% effective in protecting against influenza. If a vaccinated person does catch influenza, they often have a less severe illness and may be less likely to develop complications.
Possible side effects from the influenza vaccine may include soreness and redness at the injection site, which may last for a couple of days. Other 'flu-like' symptoms such as fever, fatigue and muscle soreness many occur after vaccination and last only a few days. This is not the 'flu'. The influenza vaccine cannot cause ‘the flu’, as it does not contain live virus.
Immediate allergic reactions to influenza vaccine are rare. However, people who have had a serious allergic reaction to eggs or to previous influenza vaccination should not get the influenza vaccine. If you think that you are allergic to eggs, you should talk with your doctor before being vaccinated.
The influenza vaccine is free for all people aged 65 years and over, and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over, and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged between 15 and 50 years with a chronic disease.
For others, the vaccine is available for purchase, with a prescription, from your local pharmacy for around $20.
You can be vaccinated by your doctor. Some councils may hold free immunisation clinics. Check with your local council for details.
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