Get your flu shot this winter

Free flu vaccination

Free flu vaccinations are available from April 2023 to all NSW residents over the age of 6 months to boost immunity for the winter season.

You can also get your COVID vaccine booster at the same time if you are over 65 or have certain chronic health conditions.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Book your flu shot today

Influenza (also known as 'flu') is a highly contagious illness caused by the influenza virus. Both flu and COVID-19 are circulating in the community. It is important to protect yourself and your community by getting vaccinated.

Speak to your General Practitioner (GP), pharmacist or Aboriginal Medical Service about getting your flu vaccine as soon as possible.

Protect your whole family with the free flu vaccine this winter. 

Free flu vaccines will be available to all NSW residents over the age of six months from April 2023 to boost immunity for the winter season. Take this opportunity to protect yourself against serious illness. 

The flu vaccine is free for those considered to be at higher risk of severe illness from the flu. This includes: 

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from six months of age

• Children from six months to under five years of age

• People with serious health conditions (including severe asthma, diabetes, cancer, immune disorders, obesity, kidney, heart, lung or liver disease)

• Pregnant women

• People aged 65 and over.

Pharmacists can now administer flu vaccines to children aged 5 and over. Parents with children aged under 5 should see their GP.

Make an appointment with your GP or pharmacist to get vaccinated.

Why do I need a flu shot?

Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory illness that is more serious than the common cold. Each year, people in NSW die from flu-related illness. 

You can catch flu at any time of the year, but activity usually peaks in winter. Although the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, flu and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses.

There are some simple things you can do to reduce the risk of catching or spreading flu and COVID-19 to others this winter. Protect yourself and the community by getting both vaccines.

An annual flu shot gives the best protection

You need to get a vaccination annually because flu viruses change (mutate) year to year. Flu vaccines are updated each year to provide protection against the flu strains likely to circulate in the coming flu season.

By getting a flu shot, you are protecting yourself and your loved ones from serious illness.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be given together

The flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be given together, at the same time. Many people who are eligible for a free flu vaccine will also be eligible for a winter COVID-19 booster. Ask your doctor whether you need additional protection against COVID-19.

​

​

 

 

 

Immunisation during pregnancy
Some infectious diseases can cause serious harm to pregnant women or their unborn babies.

While you are pregnant, you can get the influenza and whooping cough (pertussis) vaccines free through the National Immunisation Program.

​

Influenza vaccine

The influenza vaccine is recommended for every pregnancy and at any stage of your pregnancy.  It is the best way to protect both you and your baby from influenza.

Influenza can be a serious disease, especially when you are pregnant

During pregnancy, the immune system is naturally weakened, which puts pregnant women at a greater risk of getting the influenza

If you catch influenza it can put you at a higher risk than other adults of complications and even a stay in hospital

Babies under 6 months are too young to have the influenza vaccination. The best way to protect your newborn baby is to have the influenza vaccination during pregnancy. 

​

Protecting your baby against influenza starts when you’re pregnant – brochure
This brochure provides information about influenza vaccination in pregnancy.