With the flu season starting up, people are asking questions about if and when it is best to get the flu vaccine? They're also wondering about the timing between getting the flu vac and the covid-19 vaccines and boosters, therefore it pays to get the right advice! ATAGI has advised that influenza vaccines can be co-administered (on the same day) with a COVID-19 vaccine.
Influenza vaccines
Free flu vaccines under the National Immunisation Program are now available, from your GP. All other flu vaccines are available from your pharmacies with a fee for service.
For adults aged 65 years and over, adjuvanted influenza vaccines are recommended over standard influenza vaccine. The adjuvanted vaccine Fluad® Quad is funded under the NIP for this age cohort.
Timing of vaccination
The highest level of protection occurs in the first 3 to 4 months following vaccination. Annual vaccination should ideally occur before the onset of each influenza season. This is usually from June to September in most parts of Australia but may be atypical this year. Vaccinating from April provides protection before the peak season.
Eligibility for 2022 influenza vaccines through the NIP
Eligibility for influenza vaccines under the NIP remains unchanged for 2022 and includes:
children from 6 months to less than 5 years of age
adults aged 65 years and over
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
pregnant women (during any stage of pregnancy)
people aged 6 months and over with medical conditions which increase the risk of complications.
Further information and resources about 2022 NIP seasonal influenza vaccines are available from your local pharmacy.