Annual Influenza Programs

The government-funded influenza programs include:

1. The National Immunisation Program (NIP) offers free influenza vaccines every year to protect specific groups of people aged over 6 months.
2. The South Australian Nasal Spray Influenza Vaccination Program offers a free nasal spray influenza vaccine for children aged 2 to less than 5 years. Learn more.

Free influenza vaccines are also offered to people experiencing homelessness, funded by the Government of South Australia. 

Children aged under 5 years are most likely to get very sick from the influenza virus and be admitted to hospital with serious breathing problems and chest and ear infections:

• Children aged 6 months to under 5 years are eligible for a free influenza vaccine under the NIP.
• Children aged 2 to under 5 years are eligible for a free nasal spray influenza vaccine.

Some children are not able to have the nasal spray. If the nasal spray is not suitable, your child can receive the NIP influenza vaccine instead.

It is recommended to speak to your doctor (GP), pharmacist or usual immunisation provider about which influenza vaccine is best for your child.

See influenza vaccine options for children.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and older are more likely to get very sick from influenza and be admitted to hospital with serious influenza complications:  

• First Nations people aged 6 months and older (including adults and pregnant women) are eligible for a free influenza vaccine under the NIP.

• First Nations children aged 2 to less than 5 years are eligible for a free nasal spray influenza vaccine. 

Some children are not able to have the nasal spray. If the nasal spray is not suitable, your child can receive the NIP influenza vaccine instead.

It is recommended to speak to your doctor (GP), pharmacist or usual immunisation provider about which influenza vaccine is best for your child.

See influenza vaccine options for children.

Learn more below, about the free influenza vaccines for pregnant women, people with certain medical conditions, and people aged 65 and older.  

Pregnant women are more likely to be hospitalised with influenza complications, especially in the second and third trimesters. Serious influenza infections can also result in a preterm baby.

Immunisation during pregnancy also protects babies after birth in their first few months, when they are too young to be vaccinated themselves (until they are 6 months old).

• Pregnant women are eligible for the free influenza vaccine under the NIP.

To learn more see Pregnancy and immunisation | SA Health.

People aged 65 and older are more likely to be hospitalised and affected by influenza complications, such as pneumonia:

• Adults 65 years and older are eligible for a free influenza vaccine under the NIP which is made specifically to boost this age group’s immune response for better protection.   

People who have been diagnosed with the medical conditions listed below are more likely to have serious complications from an influenza infection:

• People aged 6 months and over with these certain medical conditions are eligible for the free influenza vaccine options under the NIP:
  

• cardiac disease
• chronic respiratory conditions (including severe asthma)
• chronic neurological conditions that increase the risk of respiratory infection (including hereditary and degenerative central nervous system diseases, spinal cord injuries, neuromuscular disorders and seizure disorders)
• immunocompromising conditions (including immunocompromised due to disease or treatment)
• diabetes and other metabolic disorders
• renal disease
• haematological disorders (including haemoglobinopathies)
• children aged 6 months to 10 years on long term aspirin therapy who are at increased risk of Reye syndrome following influenza infection.

People who are experiencing homelessness are more likely to get an influenza infection and complications which may lead to hospitalisation:  

• People experiencing homelessness who are not eligible for a free influenza vaccine under the NIP are eligible for a free influenza vaccine funded by the Government of South Australia.
  
• Children aged 2 to less than 5 years experiencing homelessness are eligible for the free nasal spray influenza vaccine option.

Getting an annual influenza vaccine before winter every year is recommended for anyone aged 6 months or older to reduce the chances of becoming seriously unwell from influenza.

The influenza vaccines are available from some immunisation providers for a fee for those not eligible for a free vaccine. To find an immunisation provider near you, see the vaccination services page.