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The National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides free flu vaccine to eligible individuals. These include:

• Anyone aged 65 years and older

• Children 6months to less than 5 years old

• Pregnant women (at any stage of pregnancy)

• All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months or over

• People aged 6 months or older with medical conditions that increase their risk of getting a serious disease such as:

  • Cardiac disease

  • Chronic respiratory conditions

  • Chronic neurological conditions

  • Immunocompromising conditions

  • Diabetes and other metabolic disorders

  • Renal disease

  • Haematological disorders

Please note you may still incur a vaccine administration fee. Speak with your Pharmacist or Health Care Professional prior to booking a flu immunisation.

This information is provided for general purposes only and does not substitute advice from your healthcare provider. Information is accurate as of the publishing date. Your personal information may be shared with third parties directly involved in your vaccine administration, such as the Australian Immunisation Register, Medicare, and medical personnel or other parties as required by law. This may also include disclosure to other entities as required by law. This may involve sharing your information with relevant health departments or similar government bodies. Please refer to our privacy policy for further details.

Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is a contagious viral illness impacting the respiratory system. It is caused by various strains of influenza viruses, mainly types A and B. The flu typically spreads through respiratory droplets expelled when an infected individual coughs, sneezes or talks, as well as by touching contaminated surfaces such as handrails, door handles, keyboards, bench tops and utensils.

While most individuals recover from the flu within a few days to a couple of weeks, certain groups, particularly those with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions, are at higher risk of developing complications. These complications can include pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections or exacerbation of existing health issues.

Flu symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. While some may experience mild symptoms, others can become severely unwell, requiring hospitalisation.

Common flu symptoms include:

• Headaches and body aches

• Chills

• Profound weakness and tiredness

• Sudden appearance of a high fever (38oC or more)

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Sore throat

• Dry cough

• Loss of appetite

Individuals at higher risk of severe illness include infants, individuals over 65 years of age, those with underlying health conditions and pregnant women.

The World Health Organisation recommends the following:

• Get an annual flu vaccination: This is the single most effective way to protect yourself from the flu. The flu shot is recommended for ages 6 months and older.

• Wash your hands regularly: Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in public places, blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing or using the toilet. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol.

• Avoid close contact with sick people: If possible, avoid close contact with people who are sick. This means staying at least 1.5 metres away from them and avoiding hugging, shaking hands or kissing them.

• Cover your mouth and nose: When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow. Throw the tissue away after use. Wear a mask if you're unwell to limit the spread of the virus to others.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth: The flu virus can enter your body through your eyes, nose and mouth. Try to avoid touching your face unless your hands are clean.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces: Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched such as doorknobs, bench tops and light switches.

• Stay home when you're sick: If you're sick, stay home from work, school, and errands to avoid spreading the flu to others.

By following these tips, you can help reduce your risk of getting the flu.

The flu vaccine contains inactive particles of the flu virus that stimulate the body’s own natural defence mechanism (the immune system) to help develop protection from the virus. These inactivated particles cannot cause you to get the flu. They work by training your body's immune system to recognise and fight off the influenza virus.

When you get the vaccine, your body recognises these foreign components (inactive particles) as invaders. This triggers your immune system to produce antibodies – special proteins designed to fight that specific influenza virus. These antibodies circulate in your bloodstream for a period of time. If you have been vaccinated, when you encounter the virus, your body is better prepared to destroy it, which helps prevent you becoming unwell.

A flu vaccination can help to protect you and your family from infection caused by the virus. The more people that are vaccinated in the community, the less likely it is for the disease to spread.

No. There is no live virus in the flu vaccine so you cannot get the flu from the vaccine.

Generally, the flu vaccine is well tolerated, although you may experience some mild side effects that typically last for approximately 1 -2 days such as:

• Redness, swelling or pain at the injection site

• Tiredness

• Muscle aches

• Low-grade fever

This is your body’s immune response to the vaccine, not the actual flu illness itself. These symptoms usually resolve within a couple of days but if you have any concerns, please speak to your Pharmacist or Doctor.

In a small number of people, more serious side effects can occur including hives, angioedema (swelling) or anaphylaxis. If you are worried that your side effects are persistent or severe, immediately contact your doctor, call ‘000’ or go to your nearest hospital’s emergency department.

All Australians aged from 6 months and older are recommended to receive an annual influenza vaccine. Almost everyone can benefit from having the flu vaccination. Even if you’re fit and healthy, you could pass the virus onto someone who is at risk of becoming very unwell if they develop the flu.

• Yearly vaccination is very important for people who are at highest risk of serious complications from flu, such as:

• Adults over 65 years of age

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women (the flu vaccine is safe at all stages of pregnancy)

• People with weakened immune systems

• People who smoke

• Infants and young children (6 months to 5 years of age)

• People with long-term health conditions such as heart disease, chronic lung disease such as CPOD and asthma, chronic liver disease and many more

• Homeless people

• Travellers (when travelling during flu season)

• Carers and household contacts of people in high-risk groups

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

• Essential services providers

Some of these high-risk groups may be eligible for a free flu vaccine under the National Immunisation Program. For further information, please speak to your Pharmacist or Doctor.

Flu vaccination may not be suitable for individuals who:

• Have experienced a severe allergic reaction (such as anaphylaxis) to a previous flu vaccine

• Have had a severe allergic reaction (such as anaphylaxis) to any component of the flu vaccine (for example eggs)

• Are unwell at the time of their appointment

• Are younger than 6 months of age

If you had an egg related anaphylaxis or have Guillain-Barre Syndrome please mention this to your Pharmacist or Health Care Practitioner prior to you booking your vaccination.

Protection from the vaccine typically begins to develop within two to three weeks after you get vaccinated with optimal protection occurring within the first three to four months.

The flu virus is most prevalent during the cooler months. By getting vaccinated earlier in the year, you're covered for the period when you're most likely to encounter the flu.

It is never too late to get vaccinated. Flu viruses can circulate year-round, so getting the shot even after flu season has begun offers some protection.

The flu vaccine meets Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration standards and has been available for over 50 years.

In Australia, the best time to get the flu vaccine is generally anytime from April onwards. This ensures you're protected for the peak flu season, which typically runs from June to September.

The flu virus is constantly changing so the vaccine is updated each year to ensure it contains the most recent and common circulating strains.

Also, a person’s immune protection from influenza declines over time, so annual flu vaccination is recommended.

No, a prescription for a flu vaccine is not required.

Chemist Discount Centre Pharmacies are committed to providing the flu vaccination service this year to as many people as possible, whilst focusing on the health and safety of both our staff and our customers.

We will be following all safe practices and guidelines, including private consultation areas, hand hygiene and sanitisers for both immuniser and customer use, social distancing whilst in the pharmacy, and cleaning and disinfection of all hard surfaces in between appointments.

Chemist Discount Centre Pharmacies follow all professional, State and National Guidelines regarding immunisation services within the pharmacy setting.

Prior to your vaccination, you will be asked to complete a consent form and asked some questions about your general health and if you’ve had any previous reactions to vaccines.

A vaccination-trained pharmacist will administer the flu vaccination, and then you will be required to remain in the pharmacy for a further 15 minutes where you can be observed, just in case of any unlikely adverse reaction. (If you are unable to remain in the pharmacy for the 15 minutes after your vaccination, you must sign an Immunisation Monitoring Release Form and hand this to the Pharmacist prior to you leaving the premises).

Age restrictions apply and vary according to state or territory as to who can get a flu vaccine in a pharmacy, however most pharmacies can vaccinate adults and children aged 5 years and over. Please check with your local Chemist Discount Centre Pharmacy prior to booking.

An enhanced version of the flu vaccine is available for people aged 65 years or older. This vaccine is designed to increase the immune system's response to the vaccine and cover against the strains more common and severe in older people. The vaccine is only accessible through the National Immunisation Program. People aged 65 years or older should speak with their Pharmacist or doctor prior to booking a flu immunisation.

The flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women. Pharmacists are able to vaccinate pregnant women in some states and territories, depending on relevant legislation. Please speak to your Pharmacist to ensure they are able to vaccinate pregnant women.

Yes, all immunisations administered in a pharmacy are recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). Your Medicare number plus other personal details are used to ensure accurate recording of your immunisation. Please speak to your Pharmacist for further details.

Do not hesitate to discuss any questions you may have with your local Chemist Discount Centre Pharmacy or your Health Care Professional.

You can also find more information yourself by visiting these links:

• National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance Australia Influenza Vaccines for Australians Fact Sheet

• The Australian Immunisation Handbook Influenza information

• The World Health Organisation Influenza Fact Sheet

• Better Health Channel Influenza (Flu) Information by Victorian State Government