On this page
- Key messages
- Eligibility for the free influenza vaccine
- Timing of influenza vaccination
- Ordering vaccine
- Report to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
- Promote the free vaccine to your patients
- Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice
- The Australian Immunisation Handbook
Key messages
- Special risk groups are eligible to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine for free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
- Influenza vaccine is free for all infants and children from six months to under five years of age.
- Influenza vaccine is free for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged from six months and older
- Age-specific, adjuvanted influenza vaccine is available for those aged 65 years and older.
- Always check you have the correct vaccine for the person’s age before administering.
- Make sure you report all vaccinations, including influenza vaccinations, to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
- There is no interval required between administration of COVID-19 vaccine and influenza vaccine.
Eligibility for the free influenza vaccine
The following people are eligible to receive a free seasonal influenza vaccine:
- people aged six months to less than five years
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and older
- pregnant women (at any stage of pregnancy)
- people aged 65 years and older
- people aged six months and older with medical conditions putting them at increased risk of severe influenza and its complications:
- cardiac disease
- chronic respiratory conditions
- chronic neurological conditions
- immunocompromising conditions
- diabetes and other metabolic disorders
- renal disease
- haematological disorders
- children aged six months to 10 years on long term aspirin therapy.
Children under nine years receiving their influenza vaccination for the first time require two doses of vaccine, spaced by a minimum of one month.
Timing of influenza vaccination
Everyone should get an annual influenza vaccine anytime from mid-April onwards to be protected for the peak flu season, which is generally June to September.
However, it’s never too late to be vaccinated as influenza can spread all year round.
Pregnant women should receive the vaccine at any stage during pregnancy.
ATAGI clinical recommendations for COVID-19 ,
Ordering vaccine
Registered immunisation providers in Victoria can order government-funded vaccines via the online ordering facility.
Report to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
It is now mandatory for all vaccination providers to report influenza vaccinations to the AIR. This came into effect on 1 March 2021.
Make sure you report all vaccinations, including influenza vaccinations, to the AIR.
Promote the free vaccine to your patients
Commonwealth resources
Seasonal influenza vaccine resources for vaccination providers and .
Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice
ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in
ATAGI clinical recommendations for COVID-19
The Australian Immunisation Handbook
Reviewed 15 September 2022