Department of Health

Seasonal influenza vaccine

Up to date ATAGI recommendations, vaccine eligibility criteria and resources

What's new

Stay Well This Winter Stakeholder Packs – information and key messages for the public. Share this stakeholder kit with clients via social media and digital platforms, videos and print posters for your health service. It also includes a new section for parents of children aged 5 and below.

Better Health ChannelExternal Link website has been updated with information for the public

New provider resourcesExternal Link about influenza vaccination for First Nations’ people

Key messages

  • 2023 Influenza vaccines available for seasonal use in Australia are listed in the Australian Immunisation HandbookExternal Link under Vaccines, dosage and administrationExternal Link .
  • Special risk groups are eligible to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine for free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
  • Age-specific, adjuvanted influenza vaccine is available for those aged 65 years and older.
  • Always check you have the correct influenza vaccine for the person’s age before administering.
  • Immunisation providers are required to report influenza vaccinations to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).

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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 Influenza vaccines. All influenza vaccines available under the NIP in 2023 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 vaccine (between 20 and 32 weeks) and/ or COVID-19 vaccine during 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 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

Videos, posters and digital resources

Posters, social media and information in 16 languages

Commonwealth resources

Getting vaccinated against influenza – resource collectionExternal Link includes advice for providers, information for consumers and vaccination in pregnancy.

NIP scheduleExternal Link – updated to ensure eligible people can be easily identified.

Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice

ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in 2023External 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

The Australian Immunisation HandbookExternal Link - Correct injection technique and positioning (PDF)

Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC) SIRVA eLearning courseExternal Link

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

Reviewed 11 July 2023

Health.vic

Contact details

Opening hours: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

Immunisation Unit Department of Health

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