Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious infection caused by the influenza virus.

In young children, the flu can cause fever, runny nose, sore throat, tiredness, difficulty feeding, fast breathing, cough, vomiting and diarrhoea. Some children may get a very high fever without any other symptoms and may need to go to hospital for treatment.

The flu can cause serious illness and complications in all young children. Infants and children aged less than 5 years have a higher risk of hospitalisation and serious complications from the flu than older children. The disease can also create serious problems if children also have medical conditions such as diabetes, breathing or heart problems.

Complications of the flu may be severe and include bronchitis, pneumonia and painful ear infections. Flu infection can lead to hospital stays.

The flu vaccine helps your child develop immunity without getting infected with the flu. Some children may still get the flu, but the symptoms will be milder.

The flu vaccine is free* and recommended for:

  • all Aboriginal children from 6 months of age
  • children from 6 months of age with a medical condition that puts them at a higher risk of complications from the flu
  • all other children from 6 months to under 5 years of age.

Your child can receive the free flu vaccine from your doctor, local council, or community health centre.

The flu vaccine is also recommended, but is not free, for children over 5 years of age. Please speak to your immunisation provider for advice.

*The free flu vaccine is available as part of the National Immunisation Program for people who have, or are eligible for, a Medicare card. Some immunisation providers may charge a service or consultation fee. Please discuss this with your immunisation provider when booking an appointment.

Having your child immunised each year will help protect them from the flu and reduce the chance of you or other family members also becoming unwell.

Teach your child to wash their hands often, and to cover their mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or cough into their elbow.

The vaccine contains several inactivated flu strains to protect against the most commonly circulating flu viruses each year.

As the flu virus changes often, the vaccine should be given each year for the best protection. In the first year of having flu vaccine, children less than nine years of age should have two doses of the vaccine at least one month apart.

Only one annual dose is required after the first year.

Your child can receive their free flu vaccine anytime from April onwards to be protected for the peak flu season, which is generally June to September. It usually takes up to two weeks for the flu vaccine to provide protection. The highest level of protection happens in the first 3 to 4 months following vaccination.

It is never too late to get your child’s flu vaccination since the flu can circulate in the community all year round.

Yes. The flu vaccine is safe and has been given to children in Australia for many years. As with all vaccines, your child may experience minor, short lasting side effects.

Your child cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine because it does not contain any live flu virus.

Generally, common reactions such as fever, headache, muscle aches and soreness at the injection site begin within a few hours and last one to two days. Severe allergic reactions are very rare.

If you are concerned, speak to your doctor or contact the SA Health Immunisation Section, Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on 1300 232 272.

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