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Influenza (flu)

Don't let flu catch you

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Find a doctor near you to ask about influenza and its prevention

Protect yourself and others from flu and its complications

Anyone can become sick with the flu, even people who are young, fit and healthy. It can put you out of action, in bed for days and disrupt your life.

Some people are at a higher risk of developing serious illness or complications if they catch the flu, including older adults, children under 5 years, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with low immunity, and people with certain medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, severe asthma, diabetes or obesity.

Vaccination is the simplest and most effective way to prevent flu and its complications. By having your flu vaccination, you’re not just protecting yourself, but also your family, friends and other people in your community.

In addition to vaccination, there are other important things you can do to reduce your chances of getting sick and passing the flu on to others:

  • wash your hands frequently and dry them properly
  • avoid people who are sneezing or coughing
  • if you need to sneeze or cough, use a tissue and throw it out immediately afterwards
  • if you are unwell, stay home.

Why is flu vaccination so important for older people?

As we age, our immune response naturally decreases, and we are also more likely to have chronic health conditions. What this means is that older people are more likely to experience severe disease or complications if they catch the flu. Older adults are also more likely to suffer from serious complications caused or triggered by flu infection such as pneumonia, heart attack and stroke. The Australian Department of Health strongly recommends that older Australians receive an annual flu vaccine. If you’re over 60, speak with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about your flu vaccination today. Learn more about vaccination and older adults at https://www.vaccinehub.com.au/age/older-adult.

Why is there a different flu vaccine for older people?

Because our immune response decreases with age, new flu vaccines have been specially developed to produce a better immune response in older people. To find out more about the flu vaccines recommended for older people, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

Don't let flu catch you

Getting your flu vaccination every year is the simplest and most effective protection against the flu and its complications. That’s why the Department of Health recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone over the age of 6 months.

Flu season has been a bit different from usual over the past couple of years. This is because the measures we took to prevent COVID-19 (like face masks, social distancing, and lockdowns) also helped to stop the spread of flu. Now that these measures have lifted and international travel has resumed, flu is making a resurgence. Australia saw an early peak in flu cases in 2022, and a high number of cases were reported during the northern hemisphere’s latest winter flu season.

Click the link above to find a doctor near you to ask about the flu and its prevention.

When should I get my flu vaccine?

It’s best to get vaccinated in April or May to give you protection during winter flu outbreaks - the number of flu cases is usually at its highest between June and September in most parts of Australia. But flu can occur year round, and it’s never too late to get your flu vaccination.

 

Flu vaccine safety

None of the flu vaccines used in Australia contain live flu virus, so they can’t give you the flu. Some people have side effects after getting their flu vaccination, but these are usually mild and go away on their own within a couple of days without any treatment. 

Common side effects include:

Common side effects

Any medicine, including the flu vaccine, can potentially have serious side effects. Serious side effects after the flu vaccine are very rare. If you are concerned about a side effect, it’s important to contact a doctor.

It’s important to know that the COVID-19 vaccine does not prevent the flu, and the flu vaccine does not prevent COVID-19. 

Annual flu vaccination is the simplest and most effective protection against flu and its complications. Protect yourself, your family and friends against flu.

Sources & Citations

  1. Australian Government Department of Health. Australian Immunisation Handbook. Influenza (flu). Available at: immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/vaccine-preventable-diseases/influenza-flu. Accessed February 2023.
  2. World Health Organisation (WHO). Influenza (Seasonal). Available at: who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal). Accessed February 2023.
  3. National Centre for Immunization Research & Surveillance (NCIRS). Factsheet – Influenza vaccines for Australians, June 2021. Available at: ncirs.org.au/sites/default/files/2021-06/Influenza-fact-sheet_10%20June%202021_Final.pdf. Accessed February 2023.
  4. Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). Statement on the administration of seasonal influenza vaccines in 2022. Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2022/02/atagi-advice-on-seasonal-influenza-vaccines-in-2022.pdf. Accessed February 2023.
  5. Chang L-J et al. Vaccine 2019;37:5825–34.
  6. DiazGranados CA et al. N Engl J Med 2014;371(7):635–45.
  7. Warren-Gash C et al. Eur Respir J 2018;51(3):1701794.
  8. Shrestha S et al. Sci Rep 2015;5;15314.
  9. Macias AE et al. Vaccine 2021;39:A6–A14.
  10. Koutsakos M et al. Nat Rev Microbiol 2021;19(12):741–2.  
  11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, 27 January 2023. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm. Accessed February 2023.
  12. GOV.UK Department of Health and Social Care. Eligible people urged to get vaccinated as flu season officially under way. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/eligible-people-urged-to-get-vaccinated-as-flu-season-officially-under-way. Accessed February 2023.
  13. Vukasin F. Chance of early flu season in 2023. News GP, 23 January 2023. Available at: https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/chance-of-early-flu-season-in-2023. Accessed February 2023.
  14. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Australian Influenza Surveillance Report No. 14, 2022. https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2022/10/aisr-fortnightly-report-no-14-26-september-to-9-october-2022.pdf. Accessed February 2023.

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