Annual influenza vaccine is recommended for all people aged 6 months and over. However, only the following groups at higher risk of complications from influenza are eligible for free 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 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 person's age.
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 2022 should receive a 2023 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.
Yes, people with egg allergy, including anaphylaxis, can be safely vaccinated with influenza vaccines. People with a history of egg allergy (non-anaphylaxis) can receive an age-appropriate full dose of 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.
Yes. In 2023, all influenza vaccines available on the National Immunisation Program and NSW Health programs are latex free.
AusVaxSafety, the national vaccine safety system, provides real time influenza vaccine safety data for seasonal influenza vaccines used in Australia across all ages. 2023 seasonal influenza vaccine safety data is available.
Children aged less than 9 years of age who are receiving the influenza vaccine for the first time should receive 2 doses of the vaccine, 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.
All children aged 6 months to less than 5 years of age 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.
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.
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 visit the Australian Government website for ATAGI clinical guidance for COVID-19 vaccine providers.
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.
Flucelvax® Quad is a cell-based influenza vaccine and is funded under the NIP for eligible cohorts aged 5 years to 64 years.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) monitors the evolution of influenza viruses and provides a recommendations of the Candidate Vaccine Viruses (CVVs) to vaccine manufacturers for the development and production of influenza vaccines for the next influenza season. The Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AIVC) recommends the composition of the influenza vaccines for Australia. This expert committee reviews and evaluates a range of the data e.g. epidemiology, antigenic and genetic data of influenza isolates circulating in Australia and the southern hemisphere and availability of CVVs.
Most vaccines produced globally use egg-based manufacturing processes which require CVVs that replicate well in eggs while cell-based vaccines require CVVs that replicate well in cell culture. Separate recommendations are made for egg- and cell- based CVVs because of different replication and manufacturing processes.
The safety profile of Flucelvax® Quad is comparable to standard egg-based influenza vaccines across various age groups. For more information, please refer to the Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) Flucelvax.
There are no head-to-head randomised controlled trials evaluating the efficacy between Flucelvax® Quad and standard egg-based influenza vaccines.
Flucelvax has not been given higher priority in the National Immunisation Program over Fluarix Tetra and VaxiGrip Tetra for people aged 5-64 years. All three vaccines are considered appropriate to offer to this cohort.
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 of age 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 of age, an extra dose of the enhanced influenza vaccine (Fluad Quad) for people aged 65 and over in the same season is not recommended.
According to the product information for Fluad® Quad it should be gently shaken before use. After shaking, the normal appearance of Fluad® Quad is a milky-white suspension.
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.
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.
All COVID-19 vaccines can be administered on the same day as an influenza vaccine.
The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) (currently being updated) has developed a range of resources available on influenza:
