Influenza Immunisation Program 2022

Influenza (flu) vaccination

Influenza (flu) vaccination is recommended every year for any person 6 months of age and over, who would like to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza.

As the strains of the influenza virus can change from year to year, receiving an influenza vaccine every year provides the best protection against current influenza virus strains.

The best time to vaccinate is autumn, but influenza vaccines can be given at any time during the influenza season while vaccine is available. It usually takes up to two weeks for the influenza vaccine to provide protection.

People with egg allergy

People with egg allergy, including a history of anaphylaxis, can be safety vaccinated with influenza vaccines. You do not have to be vaccinated in a hospital setting. If you have an egg allergy please discuss this with your immunisation provider.

Vaccines available under the National Immunisation Program

All funded vaccines available for use in Australia for the 2022 influenza season are quadrivalent (four strains - two influenza A and two influenza B) and contain the following strains:

  • A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
  • A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus;
  • B/Austria/1359417/2021-like (B/Victoria lineage) virus; and
  • B/Phuket/3073/2013-like (B/Yamagata lineage) virus.

For information on the vaccines available as part of the National Immunisation Program see the Annual Funded Influenza Program 2022 South Australia Schedule (PDF 59KB).

All funded flu vaccines available in Australia in 2022 are latex-free.

Eligible groups under the National Immunisation Program

In 2022, free influenza vaccination is available for the following people who are at greater risk of disease and developing complications if they get influenza:

  • all pregnant women (any trimester)
  • people six months of age or older with the following underlying chronic medical conditions:
    • cardiac disease,
    • chronic respiratory conditions, including severe asthma
    • chronic neurological conditions that impact respiratory function, including hereditary and degenerative central nervous system diseases 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 six months to 10 years on long term aspirin therapy who are at increased risk of Reye syndrome following influenza infection.
  • all children aged six months to less than five years of age
  • all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
  • all people aged 65 years and over.

State Funded Influenza Program for people experiencing homelessness

Adults and children who are experiencing homelessness and are not eligible for free influenza vaccines under the Commonwealth Government’s Annual Influenza Program are eligible to receive influenza vaccines for free under the State Funded Influenza Program.

Recommendations

• Two doses of vaccine at least one month apart are recommended for children aged less than 9 years when getting influenza vaccine for the first time, to improve their immune response. If a child only received one influenza vaccine in their first year, they only require one each subsequent year.
• Current ATAGI advice states COVID-19 vaccines and an influenza vaccine can be given on the same day.
• There is no requirement to delay your flu vaccination after COVID-19 infection. You can receive the flu vaccine once you have recovered from the acute symptoms of COVID-19, and have completed your period of isolation.
• For more information see Timing of administration of other vaccines in the ATAGI Clinical recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines.

Occupations at risk of vaccine preventable diseases

Some occupations are at an increased risk of catching or passing on influenza to others. Please refer to the Occupations at risk of vaccine preventable diseases page to see if you are considered at risk.

Accessing influenza vaccine

To receive the annual influenza vaccine contact your doctor, local council, community health centre, Aboriginal health centre or an approved pharmacy. For further information on immunisation providers, see the Immunisation services page.

Further information

For further information on the annual funded influenza programs, contact your local doctor or immunisation provider.