Stay Up To Date With Your Flu Vaccination

Influenza (usually called ‘the flu’ for short) is a common and highly contagious virus. The flu affects your respiratory system (nose, throat and lungs), and symptoms you’ll experience can include:

• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• fatigue
• muscle aches
• headaches, and
• nose, throat and lung congestion.

It’s important to note that the Flu is not the same as the common cold, even though they may share some symptoms. The Flu is a serious illness that can lead to complications and sometimes hospitalisation.

The Department of Health recommends an annual vaccination against seasonal influenza in the month of April. While protection is generally expected to last for the whole season, optimal protection against influenza occurs within the first 3 to 4 months following vaccination.

Outside of the typical flu season months, influenza vaccinations are recommended for particular groups all year round where risk of transmission to those who have a higher risk of complications from influenza infection is a risk.

These groups include:

- children aged 6 months to <5 years

- adults aged ≥65 years

- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

- people with medical conditions that increase their risk of severe influenza

- homeless people

- pregnant women

- healthcare workers, carers and household contacts of people in high-risk groups

- residents, staff, volunteers and visitors to aged care and long-term residential facilities

- commercial poultry and pork industry workers

- people who provide essential community services

- people who are travelling during influenza season in the destination region or in settings with increased risk of influenza circulation during the trip e.g., large tourist groups, cruises, mass gatherings

- people with specified immunocompromising medical conditions - Opens in new tab

The Trivalent influenza vaccine was used for many years until 2016, when the Quadrivalent vaccine became available on the National Immunisation Program.

However, in the late 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AIVC) recommended that the B/Yamagata Lineage component is no longer warranted in seasonal influenza vaccines as this has not circulated for several years.

This allows a more targeted vaccine to be manufactured, focusing on the strains that are actively circulating, thereby improving production efficiency and ensuring the highest possible effectiveness.

Flu vaccines can be given at the same time as, or at any interval before or after, other vaccines, including dTpa, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccines.

For the timing between the COVID-19 vaccine and any other vaccines, please speak to your Pharmacist, GP or immunising health care professional about the most appropriate time to make your appointment.

The Flu virus can change from year to year, and because immunity from the vaccination is not long lasting, an annual vaccination is recommended for best protection.

Outside of the typical Flu season months, influenza vaccinations are recommended for particular groups all year round where risk of transmission to those who have a higher risk of complications from influenza infection is a risk. These groups include:

• healthcare workers and providers, particularly those caring for people who are immunocompromised
• carers and household contacts of people in high-risk groups, including people who provide home care to people at high risk of influenza
• people working in early childhood education and care
• people who provide essential community services
• people experiencing homelessness
• staff or volunteers caring for people experiencing homeless
• all residents, staff, volunteers, and visitors to aged care and long-term residential facilities
• students and trainees who need to attend a clinical or practical placement in a hospital, medical clinic, aged care or childcare facility are often required to have the up to date Flu vaccination by both training organisation and placement location.

The Flu spreads from person to person through the air when someone coughs, sneezes, or talks. You can also catch the Flu from touching a contaminated surface or someone’s hand with the virus on it and then touching your mouth, eyes, or nose.

People with underlying medical conditions or reduced immunity are most at risk of severe disease from seasonal influenza.

To find out more, visit https://www.cdc.gov.au/diseases/seasonal-flu-seasonal-influenza - Opens in new tab

The Australian Department of Health funds the cost of vaccines for people who are at high risk of Influenza and its complications under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) - Opens in new tab. These vaccines are distributed under the supervision of the WA Department of Health, who determine availability and recommended timing for the vaccine.

The Australian Department of Health funds the cost of the influenza vaccine for people for the following groups of people:

• children aged 6 months to less than 5 years* 
• All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over* 
• People aged 6 months and over* with certain medical conditions that increase their chance of severe influenza and its complications 
• Pregnant women (at any stage during pregnancy) 
• People aged 65 years and over 

If you are eligible for a free Flu vaccination under the National Immunisation Program you can also visit your GP. It’s important to note that while the vaccine itself is free, your GP may charge a consultation fee.

*Check with your Pharmacist to confirm whether they can vaccinate you based on your age and state.

For further information on the National Immunisation Program go to https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/national-immunisation-program - Opens in new tab

While the Flu vaccine won’t combat COVID-19 - Opens in new tab, it will help reduce the severity and spread of Flu, which can lower a person’s immunity and make them susceptible to other illnesses.

Yes, influenza vaccination is still recommended following a recent influenza infection. Vaccination can lower the risk of becoming ill from other strains of the influenza virus.

People who have been unwell with influenza should wait until they have recovered from acute illness before receiving influenza vaccination.

People who have had influenza in a previous season are recommended to be vaccinated for each new influenza season. This is because strains of influenza change each year and new-season influenza vaccines are reformulated to match circulating strains as closely as possible.

Some people may experience mild side effects following vaccination, such as:

• Localised pain, redness and/or swelling at the injection site
• Drowsiness or tiredness
• Muscle aches
• Occasionally, an injection-site lump that may last several weeks
• Low-grade temperature (fever)

These side effects are usually mild, lessen within a few days, and do not normally require treatment. More severe immediate adverse effects, such as hives or anaphylaxis, are very rare side effects of the influenza vaccination.

Your Pharmacist is trained to recognise and manage any immediate, severe reactions. They will review a pre-screening assessment prior to vaccinating you.

It is important that you report and discuss any side effects or reactions from your vaccination event (or any other medications) with your Pharmacist.

You can also self-report any adverse events or reactions on the TGA website https://www.tga.gov.au/safety/report-problem/report-adverse-event-or-safety-problem - Opens in new tab

People with an egg allergy can be safely vaccinated with any influenza vaccine (including egg-based vaccines which usually contain less than 1 microgram of egg protein per dose, and the cell-based vaccine).

Reactions such as hives, skin reactions or anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) are rare side effects following influenza vaccination, regardless of known egg allergy.

Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) - Opens in new tab guidelines offer additional information on influenza vaccination of individuals with an allergy to eggs, including regarding risk, dosage and observation period.

For latex allergy, influenza vaccines used in Australia are latex-free and are safe for use by people with a latex allergy or sensitivity. 

While the product information for Fluarix Tetra states that some presentations of the vaccine cannot be considered latex-free, presentations that may contain latex are not supplied in Australia. 

The Flu vaccine passes stringent Government safety testing before being approved for use, and your Pharmacist will review a pre-screening assessment prior to vaccinating you.
Some people may experience mild side effects such as tenderness and/or redness at the injection site. This usually clears within a few days. More severe immediate adverse effects, such as hives or anaphylaxis, are very rare side effects of influenza vaccination. Your Pharmacist is trained to recognise and manage any immediate, severe reactions.

The Flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women (during any stage of pregnancy). If you are currently pregnant, you may be eligible for a Medicare funded vaccine through your GP or your Pharmacist.

To find out more about your eligibility and any out of pocket costs, please contact your GP or Pharmacist for more information.

No, there is no live virus in the Flu vaccine as the influenza strains are inactivated, so you cannot get the flu from the Flu vaccine.

When you receive a Flu vaccination, your immune system’s response is to form protective proteins (antibodies) which will provide immunity. Sometimes, Flu-like symptoms may occur within 6-12 hours of receiving the vaccine and last 1-2 days. This is a common reaction to many vaccines.

No. Protection from a Flu vaccine does not occur immediately. It takes approximately 2 weeks for your immune system to form antibodies which will provide protection.

Yes. At Pharmacy 777, vaccinations are delivered by Pharmacists who have successfully completed an immunisation course approved by the Department of Health, as well as first aid, CPR, and anaphylaxis training.

If a serious reaction to the Flu vaccine occurs, it will usually occur within 15 minutes of being vaccinated. It is important for you to wait in the pharmacy for 15 minutes after being vaccinated so you can be observed for any serious reactions.

Pharmacists who deliver vaccinations are trained in first aid and CPR and know how to respond to an anaphylactic reaction. In the unlikely event of a severe reaction, the Pharmacist and other pharmacy team members will act immediately to provide emergency assistance.

Swabbing the injection site with an alcohol wipe prior to vaccination is no longer recommended or required unless the skin is visibly dirty. There is no increased risk of infection when the skin is not swabbed, in fact, the alcohol in the wipe can irritate the skin.

You may be able to receive your Flu vaccine depending on how unwell you are. When you are unwell, your immune system may be slightly weakened, affecting your body’s ability to produce enough antibodies for full protection.

If you have mild symptoms, you can still receive the vaccine, but if you are experiencing a fever and/or severely unwell, it is recommended to wait until you are feeling better.

Pharmacy 777 has corporate booking options available to find out more please click here - Opens in new tab.

In Western Australia and Victoria, Pharmacists can administer the influenza vaccine to people aged 5 years and over.

In New South Wales, Pharmacists can administer the influenza vaccine to people aged 2 years and over.

In Queensland and South Australia Pharmacists can administer the influenza vaccine to all eligible ages.

For cancellations or changes within 24 hours of your appointment:
Please call the Pharmacy 777 location - Opens in new tab you made your booking with and our team can help you rebook.

For cancellations or changes outside 24 hours of your appointment:
This can be done under “manage your booking online” on your booking confirmation email. Alternatively, you can either call, visit or email - Opens in new tab your pharmacy to cancel or reschedule.

Following your online cancellation, to book a new appointment:
Simply scroll up to the booking buttons on this page to start a new booking and schedule a new time or date.