Flu vaccination for all Victorians

What is the issue?

Victoria has reported more than 20,000 cases of flu this year, with one third of recent cases occurring in children under the age of 10 years. From April to June 2024, notified flu cases have quadrupled, and there has been a six-fold increase in the number of Emergency Department presentations. Despite this, vaccination coverage remains low across all age groups, including children aged 6 months to 5 years.

Who is at risk?

In most people, flu causes a mild to moderate illness with symptoms such as fever and cough. However, some people can develop severe illness and complications, particularly those with underlying medical conditions. Severe disease and complications occur primarily among the elderly and those with certain medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiac disease and chronic respiratory conditions. Other people at risk of severe disease include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, pregnant women, and children under 5 years of age. Deaths can occur, in any age group.

Symptoms and transmission

• The flu is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract that can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications.
• Flu is usually spread by breathing in droplets from coughs and sneezes that contain the virus.
• Symptoms of flu include fever, cough, body aches, tiredness, chills, sore throat, loss of appetite and a runny or stuffy nose.
• Some people can get very sick from the flu and may have complications such as lung infection (pneumonia) or severe breathing difficulties requiring urgent medical care and hospitalisation.
• Influenza is caused by a virus so antibiotics cannot be used to treat it.

Recommendations

For the public

• Yearly flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.
• Vaccination is key to protecting yourself and those around you from the flu. Flu vaccination reduces the chances of catching flu and the risk of serious illness if you do get it.
• It is never too late to get vaccinated since the flu can circulate in the community all year round.
• Book your flu vaccine through your doctor (GP), Aboriginal health service, local pharmacy or council immunisation service. Everyone aged 5 years and over can get vaccinated at the local pharmacy.
• Free flu vaccine is available under the National Immunisation Program for:
  • people aged 6 months to less than 5 years (can be given at the same time as childhood vaccines)
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and older
  • pregnant women; at any stage during pregnancy
  • people aged 65 years and older
  • people aged six months and older with medical conditions putting them at increased risk of severe flu and its complications
• Some simple measures can reduce the risk of spreading viruses to others and help to keep you and your family, friends, and community well:
  • Wash or sanitise your hands thoroughly and regularly
  • Cough or sneeze into your elbow
  • Wear a facemask if you have symptoms and need to leave home
  • Stay home if you are sick
  • If you start to experience more serious symptoms, seek medical attention

For clinicians and immunisation providers

• Offer annual flu vaccination to everyone aged 6 months and over.
• Ensure patients with medical conditions associated with an increased risk of serious illness from the flu are offered the free flu vaccine.
• People can receive flu vaccines at the same time as most other vaccines, including diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (dTpa), pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccines.
• Refer to the Seasonal influenza vaccine webpage for resources, including flu vaccines registered for use in 2024, eligibility criteria under the National Immunisation Program, clinical guidance, and materials to support conversations about flu vaccination.

Clinical information

Influenza

Seasonal influenza vaccine

Consumer information

Influenza (flu) - Better Health Channel

Stay well this winter - Better Health Channel