Department of Health

Seasonal influenza vaccine

Up to date ATAGI recommendations, vaccine eligibility criteria and resources

Community immunisation information

The information on this page is aimed at immunisation providers. If you're looking for immunisation information for yourself, your family or someone you're caring for, visit Better Health Channel. 

Immunisation information on Better Health Channel

What's new

The Australian Government has released a series of short videos to promote influenza vaccination for people who are pregnantExternal Link , childrenExternal Link and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peopleExternal Link .

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 HandbookExternal Link under Vaccines, dosage and administrationExternal Link
  • 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 providersExternal Link 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 providersExternal Link for further details.

Clinical guidance

Updated advice is available from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI)External Link 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 HandbookExternal Link 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 vaccinesExternal Link 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 RegisterExternal Link .

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 collectionExternal Link includes advice for providers, information for consumers and vaccination in pregnancy.

National Immunisation program scheduleExternal Link – 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 2024External Link

ATAGI clinical recommendations for COVID-19 vaccinesExternal Link

The Australian Immunisation Handbook

View the Influenza (flu) chapter in The Australian Immunisation HandbookExternal Link

Immunisation eLearning

Influenza eLearning moduleExternal Link

National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS)

SKAI communication packageExternal Link : Conversations with parents and pregnant women around influenza vaccination.

Supporting conversations about vaccination with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:External Link

Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC) Vaccine administrationExternal Link - Correct injection technique and anatomical sites

Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC) SIRVA eLearning courseExternal Link

National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) SIRVA WebinarExternal Link

Reviewed 14 June 2024

Health.vic

Contact details

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Immunisation Program Department of Health

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