The influenza vaccines are free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for:
Refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook for a list of medical conditions that meet eligibility criteria for the funded influenza vaccine.
People that are not eligible for free influenza vaccine can also access the influenza vaccine through private script from a GP, or from a pharmacy for people 5 years and over.
NSW Health has developed a number of resources and an influenza information sheet providing advice in relation to which influenza vaccine should be administered to various age groups. Immunisation providers must check that the influenza vaccine that they are administering is the correct influenza vaccine for the patients age.
Influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone from mid-April onwards to be protected for the peak influenza season, which is typically June to September. However, influenza can occur year-round.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation advises that revaccination in the same year is not routinely recommended, however some people may benefit due to personal circumstances such as pregnancy or travel. Pregnant women who received an influenza vaccine in 2024 should receive a 2025 influenza vaccine if it becomes available before the end of pregnancy. Women who receive influenza vaccine before becoming pregnant should be revaccinated during pregnancy to protect the unborn infant.
All children aged 6 months to less than 5 years are eligible for free influenza vaccine as part of the National Immunisation Program. If two doses are indicated (for children who have never received influenza vaccine before) both doses are free if they are under 5 years of age.
Influenza vaccine is also available free for children aged 5 years and over with specified medical conditions and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Two doses are recommended for children aged less than 9 years who are receiving the influenza vaccine for the first time. The doses are recommended to be given at least 4 weeks apart. In subsequent years only one dose is required. Children who only received one dose in their first year of vaccination still only require one dose in subsequent years.
No. The dose of influenza vaccines for all ages is 0.5mL. The 0.25mL dose that was previously recommended for young children is no longer available/recommended. It is safe for children to receive the full dose (0.5ml) of an age-appropriate influenza vaccine.
Yes. Protection from maternal influenza vaccination does not last beyond six months of age. This is why the influenza vaccine is recommended and now funded for all children from 6 months to less than 5 years of age.
Breastfeeding doesn't provide enough antibodies to protect an infant against influenza after the age of 6 months. Influenza vaccination is strongly recommended and free for all children aged 6 months and over to less than 5 years to protect them against severe influenza disease.
Yes. All influenza vaccines can be administered at the same time as other childhood recommended vaccines.
There is a small increased risk of fever following administration of pneumococcal and influenza vaccines at the same time. Separating the doses by 3 days can be considered to reduce this risk. Further details about influenza vaccine co-administration can be found in the Australian Immunisation Handbook influenza chapter.
The Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) communication package is an evidence-based suite of communication tools aimed at improving conversations between vaccination providers and parents of young children, pregnant women, and families about vaccination.
Pregnant women can receive an influenza vaccine during any stage of pregnancy. The vaccine is recommended for each new pregnancy.
The Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) communication package is an evidence-based suite of communication tools aimed at improving conversations between vaccination providers and patients including, pregnant women about vaccination. Resources include an Information factsheet The influenza vaccine for pregnant women.
No. The enhanced Fluad® Quad vaccine (available for free on the National Immunisation Program) is only registered for use in people aged 65 years and over. Anyone aged under 65 years should be offered an age-appropriate influenza vaccine.
Yes. However, people aged 65 and over should receive the enhanced quadrivalent vaccine (Fluad® Quad) over other standard quadrivalent vaccines. The enhanced vaccine has been specially formulated to create a greater immune response amongst older people, who are known to have a weaker response to immunisation. However, if Fluad® Quad is not available, people aged 65 years and over can safely receive other standard quadrivalent influenza vaccines.
No, if someone aged 65 years and older receives a standard influenza vaccine recommended for people aged under 65 years, an extra dose of the enhanced influenza vaccine (Fluad Quad) for people aged 65 and over in the same season is not recommended.
The product information for Fluad® Quad recommends for the vaccine to be gently shaken before use. After shaking, the normal appearance of Fluad® Quad is a milky-white suspension.
Yes, people with egg allergy, including anaphylaxis, can be safely vaccinated with egg-based and cell-based influenza vaccines. People with a history of egg allergy (non-anaphylaxis) can receive an age-appropriate full dose of influenza vaccine in any immunisation setting. Persons with a history of anaphylaxis to egg should be vaccinated in medical facilities with staff experienced in recognising and treating anaphylaxis. For more information visit Egg allergy influenza vaccination - Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA).
Yes. In 2025, all influenza vaccines available on the National Immunisation Program and NSW Health programs are latex free.
Influenza vaccines can be administered on the same day, or separate to, most other vaccines, including dTpa, RSV, pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccines. For more information refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook Vaccines, dosage and administration.
All COVID-19 vaccines can be administered on the same day as an influenza vaccine. If co-administering influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, consider offering any other vaccinations on a separate visit to reduce the risk of side effects. For more information refer to the COVID-19 chapter in the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
AusVaxSafety, the national vaccine safety system, provides real time influenza vaccine safety data for seasonal influenza vaccines used in Australia across all ages, including 2024 seasonal influenza vaccine safety data.
Please go to Influenza vaccine resources or Influenza Vaccination Program 2025: for immunisation providers.
