On this page
- Key messages
- Eligibility for the free influenza vaccine
- Timing of influenza vaccination
- Vaccine order forms
- Influenza vaccine pre-allocation
- 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).
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 advice on the timing between influenza and COVID-19 ,
Vaccine order forms
A full list of government supplied vaccine order forms including Pharmacist Immuniser and Public hospital HCW influenza vaccine order forms are available for download.
Influenza vaccine pre-allocation
An annual pre-allocation of influenza vaccine for over 65s is distributed to GP clinics, Community Health Centres and Aboriginal Health Services. Search by your account number in the file below to see the quantity of Fluad Quad® doses to be delivered to your clinic.
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
2021 seasonal influenza vaccine resources for vaccination providers and .
Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice
ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in
ATAGI advice on the timing between influenza and COVID-19 ,
The Australian Immunisation Handbook
Reviewed 18 April 2019