Key Points
- Influenza can cause mild to severe and even life-threatening illness.
- Yearly flu immunisation is recommended for everyone aged 6 months or over.
- Children in Australia have access to a no-needle, nasal spray flu vaccine.
- The flu vaccine is safe and effective, so speak to your doctor if you have questions or concerns.
Influenza, or the flu, is a year-round circulating virus, which means you can catch it at any time of the year.
In Australia, flu activity increases during autumn and infections peak between June and September.
How serious is the flu?
Flu symptoms are more acute and long-lasting than a common cold.
They can include high fever, muscle aches and joint pains, headaches and sore throat.
The flu is Australia’s most common illness preventable by vaccination. Source: Moment RF / Halfpoint Images/Getty Images
Most people infected with influenza recover within a few days. But some patients are at greater risk of severe illness and complications.
In Australia, 2025 was the deadliest influenza year on record with over 1,700 deaths.
“A lot of us think it’s just like a cold, but it kills hundreds of Australians every year,” Dr Michael Wright, Sydney General Practitioner and President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, says.
“Many thousands of Australians are admitted to hospital with influenza because it’s a serious respiratory infection.”
Who is likely to get very sick from influenza?
Even healthy people can get very sick with the flu.
High-risk groups for severe illness and needing hospital care include children under five, over 65s, Aboriginal and/or Torres Islander individuals, people with chronic conditions and pregnant women.
“These people are more likely to get lung infections, pneumonia and need to go to hospital,” Dr Wright says.
How can I protect myself from the flu?
Influenza is spread through droplets from an infected person’s throat or nose.
Credit: Healthdirect
Practising good hygiene, like regular handwashing and covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, can help lower your chance of catching the flu and spreading it.
But the most effective way to prevent influenza and severe complications from it, is having the annual flu vaccine.
“The advantage of getting vaccinated is that you reduce the risk of you getting sick, and you actually make sure that you are much less likely to get a serious infection,” Dr Wright explains.
Vaccinated individuals are also less likely to infect others.
Getting vaccinated is the best thing you can do to protect yourself, your family and also your community.
Dr Michael Wright
Should I get the flu shot and do I have to pay?
Flu immunisation is very important for everyone but especially for vulnerable people in the community.
“We recommend everybody over the age of six months gets a flu vaccine every year,” Dr Stephanie Williams says.
Dr Williams is Assistant Director General in the Communicable Diseases Branch of the Australian Centre for Disease Control.
“There are some groups of people for whom that vaccine is provided free under Australia’s National Immunisation Program:
- children aged six months to five years
- adults aged 65 years and older
- pregnant women
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and over
- people with specific medical conditions.”
Your flu vaccine appointment is a good opportunity to ask about other recommended immunisations ahead of winter. Credit: Joos Mind/Getty Images
If you are not eligible for free flu vaccination, you can purchase the vaccine from your immunisation provider.
“You can get a flu shot in many healthcare settings, including your local doctor, local council immunisation clinic, community health centres, Aboriginal health services and some pharmacies across Australia,” Dr Williams says.
Your state or territory government or your employer may also run free flu vaccination programs.
Is there a needle-free flu vaccine in Australia?
A needle-free nasal flu vaccine in spray form was made available in Australia in 2026.
It is approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for safe and effective use in children aged two to 17.
The nasal flu vaccine has been used for years outside of Australia. Source: Moment RF / Paul Biris/Getty Images
It is available across Australia with some states administering it for free for children aged between two and five.
“We know that kids at that age don’t really like having injections and also their parents are less likely to bring them in,” RACGP President Dr Wright says.
Ask your family doctor if there is a state-funded nasal flu vaccine program where you live.
When is the best time to get the flu shot?
Getting vaccinated three to four months ahead of peak season maximises your protection, Dr Meru Sheel, Professor of Infectious Diseases and Global Health at the University of Sydney, explains.
“That’s why we recommend autumn to start of winter months for people to get influenza vaccines.
“When they come into the market around April, May and when it’s convenient or they’re available through workplaces, that’s the best time to get vaccinated.”
Get your flu vaccine at least two to three weeks before your trip. Source: Moment RF / Oscar Wong/Getty Images
Should I be concerned about the side effects of the flu vaccine?
Following vaccination, some people go through mild symptoms lasting up to a couple of days.
“All vaccines tend to have some common side effects like pain and swelling, redness or mild fever,” Dr Sheel says.
“The flu vaccine is safe and effective and most of the adverse reactions are self-resolving.”
Allergic reaction risk is very low.
When you get the vaccine, the doctor or the pharmacist will ask you to wait for 15 to 20 minutes, because if there’s going to be a reaction that’s when it might happen.
Dr Meru Sheel
Your doctor will help you find a suitable flu vaccine for your age and health status and address any questions you have, Dr Wright concludes.
“If you do have any concerns or worries why you might not want to have the vaccine, your GP should be able to explain if the vaccine’s right for you.”
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