What's new
- The Victorian Department of Health has launched the Don't risk the flu. Get vaccinated campaign for 2025.
- Visit the Don't risk the flu and RSV vaccine stakeholder toolkit page in the coming weeks for resources to help promote the campaign.
- The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care has released the following key documents to support the 2025 influenza season:
Key messages
- Discard all expired 2024 influenza vaccine stock.
- 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).
- 2025 Influenza vaccines available for seasonal use in Australia are listed in the Australian Immunisation Handbook under Vaccines, dosage and .
- Influenza vaccines can be co-administered (given on the same day) with any COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines.
- 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, antenatal).
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 2025 Influenza vaccination – Program advice for health 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 2025 influenza vaccination – Program advice for health for further details.
Clinical guidance
Updated advice is available from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) Statement on the administration of 2025 seasonal influenza for immunisation providers, including vaccines available for use in by age, and eligibility criteria for NIP funded vaccine.
Refer to the Australian for contraindications and precautions relating to 2025 Influenza vaccines.
- All influenza vaccines available under the NIP in 2025 are latex free and people with a latex allergy can be safely vaccinated.
- It is safe to administer the influenza vaccine at the same time as the pertussis vaccine (20 to 32 weeks), RSV vaccine (28 to 36 weeks), COVID-19 vaccine (if required), or other vaccines indicated during pregnancy.
- Influenza vaccines can be co-administered with any of the COVID-19 vaccines. Refer to ATAGI Clinical recommendations for 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.
Report to AIR using the new antenatal for influenza vaccine given in pregnancy. Refer to NCIRS AIR for guidance.
Further information can be found in Using the Australian Immunisation .
Resources for immunisation providers
Victorian Department of Health
2025 Influenza vaccination program toolkit - manage the timely roll-out and safe implementation of the influenza vaccination program:
Winter immunisation toolkit - a new Victorian Department of Health influenza campaign will be launched in April 2025. It will include 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 includes advice for providers, information for consumers and vaccination in pregnancy.
- 2025 influenza vaccination - Program advice for health
- 2025 influenza (flu) vaccination – Consumer fact
- Maternal vaccinations consumer
- Why does my child need a flu shot? – Fact
- Ask about the flu vaccine today – eligibility through the National Immunisation Program
- Flu in pregnancy
- Flu vaccination
- Influenza campaign – Passed around – 15 seconds (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
National Immunisation Program – updated to ensure eligible people can be easily identified.
Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice
ATAGI clinical recommendations for COVID-19
The Australian Immunisation Handbook
View the Influenza (flu) chapter in The Australian Immunisation
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS)
SKAI communication : Conversations with parents and pregnant women around influenza vaccination.
Supporting conversations about vaccination with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
- Talking about flu vaccination with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
- Example of a supporting flu vaccine
- Flu vaccine information sheet for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
- Summary table of flu and COVID-19
- Webinar - Triple protection: Vaccines for influenza, COVID-19 and RSV in
Avoiding shoulder injury related to vaccine administration
Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC) Vaccine - Correct injection technique and anatomical sites
Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre (MVEC) SIRVA eLearning
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) SIRVA
Reviewed 23 May 2025