What's new
The Australian Government has released a series of short videos to promote influenza vaccination for people who are , and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander .
The Stay well this winter campaign toolkit includes a range of assets for health services, to promote influenza vaccination and target priority audiences - social media animations, posters, videos and translated assets.
Key messages
- Annual influenza vaccination is the most important measure to prevent influenza and its complications. It is recommended for all people 6 months of age and over.
- Influenza vaccination is particularly important for those most at risk, with the need to improve uptake in children under 5, pregnant women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Special risk groups are eligible to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine for free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
- 2024 Influenza vaccines available for seasonal use in Australia are listed in the Australian Immunisation under Vaccines, dosage and
- Influenza vaccines can be co-administered (given on the same day) with any COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines.
- Always check you have the correct influenza vaccine for the person’s age before administering.
- All vaccinations must be recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). It is important to complete the new "vaccine type" field to specify the circumstances of the vaccine administered (e.g., NIP, pregnancy).
Eligibility for the free influenza vaccine
Free seasonal influenza vaccine is funded under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for the following groups at higher risk of complications from influenza:
- people aged six months to less than five years (can be given at the same time as childhood vaccines)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and older
- pregnant women (can be given at any stage of each pregnancy)
- people aged 65 years and older (a vaccine that is specifically designed to produce a higher immune response is available for this group).
- people aged six months and older with medical conditions putting them at increased risk of severe influenza and its complications.
Refer to 2024 Influenza vaccination – Program advice for vaccination for a list of medical conditions that meet eligibility criteria for the funded influenza vaccine.
Timing of influenza vaccination
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone from mid-April onwards to be protected for the peak influenza season, which is typically June to September.
Influenza vaccination should continue to be offered as long as influenza virus are circulating, and a valid vaccine is available. Some important considerations are
- Young children aged 6 months to less than 9 years who should have 2 doses of influenza vaccine (given at least 4 weeks apart) in the first year they receive the vaccine.
- Pregnant women (should receive the vaccine at any stage during pregnancy)
- People travelling to a destination where influenza is circulating (year-round in the tropics)
- People who have had a haematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplant require two doses, given at least 4 weeks apart, the first time after they receive the transplant.
Refer to 2024 Influenza vaccination – Program advice for vaccination for further details.
Clinical guidance
Updated advice is available from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation on the administration of 2024 seasonal influenza vaccines for immunisation providers, including vaccines available for use in by age, and eligibility criteria for NIP funded vaccine.
Refer to the Australian Immunisation for contraindications and precautions relating to 2024 Influenza vaccines. All influenza vaccines available under the NIP in 2024 are latex free and people with a latex allergy can safely be vaccinated.
The influenza vaccine can be safely given at the same time as the pertussis (whooping cough) containing vaccine (between 20 and 32 weeks) and/ or COVID-19 vaccine, RSV or other vaccines indicated in pregnancy.
COVID-19 vaccines can be co-administered (given on the same day) with influenza vaccines. Refer to ATAGI Clinical recommendations for COVID-19 for considerations for co-administration of COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines for children aged 6 months to less than 5 years.
Vaccine safety
Refer to Adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) reporting for guidance following AEFI and vaccine administration errors.
Ordering vaccine
Registered immunisation providers in Victoria can order government-funded influenza vaccine (NIP or provided by the Victorian Government) for administration to eligible cohorts. Refer to ordering vaccines for details on how to order vaccines through Onelink Online.
Report to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
It is mandatory to record all influenza vaccinations given on the (AIR). Ensure you use the correct brand name, dose number and batch number.
Further information can be found in Using the Australian Immunisation .
Resources for immunisation providers
Victorian Department of Health
Stay well this winter campaign toolkit - a range of assets for health services, to promote influenza vaccination - social media animations, posters, videos and translated assets.
Vaccine error management - Preventing and responding to vaccine administration errors
Better Health Channel
Australian Government resources
Getting vaccinated against influenza – resource includes advice for providers, information for consumers and vaccination in pregnancy.
- 2024 Influenza vaccination - Program advice for vaccination
- 2024 Influenza (flu) vaccination – Consumer fact
- Brochure – Protecting your baby against influenza starts when you’re
- Why does my child need a flu shot? – Fact
- Flu in kids can be serious – 2024 influenza poster for kids under
- Ask about the flu vaccine today – eligibility through the National Immunisation Program
- Influenza campaign- Ultrasound – 15
- Influenza campaign – Sharing isn’t Caring – 15
- Influenza campaign – Passed around – 15 seconds (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
National Immunisation program – updated to ensure eligible people can be easily identified.
Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice
ATAGI statement on the administration of seasonal influenza vaccines in
ATAGI clinical recommendations for COVID-19
The Australian Immunisation Handbook
View the Influenza (flu) chapter in The Australian Immunisation
Immunisation eLearning
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS)
SKAI communication : Conversations with parents and pregnant women around influenza vaccination.
Supporting conversations about vaccination with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
- Talking about flu vaccination with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
- Flu vaccine information
- Summary table of vaccination
Avoiding shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC) Vaccine - Correct injection technique and anatomical sites
Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC) SIRVA eLearning
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) SIRVA
Reviewed 14 June 2024