Influenza season in Australia typically runs from June to September, but the virus can circulate earlier. Getting vaccinated from March or April gives your immune system time to build protection before the peak. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s flu vaccine.
Why Get Vaccinated Every Year?
Influenza viruses change constantly. Each year, the vaccine is reformulated to match the strains most likely to circulate. Last year’s vaccine won’t protect you this year. Even if you had the flu recently, vaccination is still recommended because there are multiple strains.
Who Should Get the Flu Vaccine?
The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. It’s especially important for:
- Adults aged 65 and over
- Pregnant women (safe in any trimester)
- Children aged 6 months to 5 years
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
- People with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease
- Healthcare workers and carers
The flu vaccine is free for people in the above groups under the National Immunisation Program. For everyone else, we offer the vaccine at a competitive price — ask our reception team for current pricing.
What to Expect
The vaccine is given as a single injection in the upper arm. The most common side effect is mild soreness at the injection site, which usually resolves within a day or two. Some people experience mild flu-like symptoms such as a low-grade fever or tiredness — this is your immune system responding and is not the flu itself.
Book Your Vaccination
You can book your flu vaccination online through HotDoc or by calling us on (02) 9544 4004. No referral is needed — it’s a quick appointment that can make a real difference to your winter.