You can get a flu vaccine at most community pharmacies across Australia, often without an appointment. Some people are eligible for a free flu shot under the National Immunisation Program. Use the locator to find a pharmacy near you giving flu vaccinations.
Where are you looking for a pharmacy?
The National Immunisation Program funds a free flu vaccine for several groups: children aged 6 months to under 5 years, adults aged 65 and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over, pregnant women, and people aged 6 months and over who have a medical condition that raises their risk of serious illness. You need a Medicare card or eligibility for one. Some states and territories fund the flu vaccine more widely than this in certain years, so it is worth asking your pharmacist or checking your state health department. If you are not in a funded group, a pharmacist can still give you the vaccine and a fee usually applies.
Flu activity in Australia generally runs from May to October, and usually peaks between June and September. Getting vaccinated before the season builds up gives you protection through the higher-risk months. Protection is strongest in the first three to four months after the shot, so earlier in autumn is the common timing. If you are travelling overseas, a pharmacist can talk to you about timing your vaccine before you go.
Yes. The Department of Health advises that a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine can be given at the same visit, and a pharmacist can administer both. If you would rather space them out, that is an option too.
If you are in a National Immunisation Program funded group, the vaccine itself is free. A pharmacy may still charge a small administration or consultation fee, and this varies between pharmacies, so check when you book. If you are not in a funded group, you pay for the vaccine plus any service fee. Prices differ by pharmacy.
Some flu vaccines contain tiny traces of egg. People with egg allergy, including anaphylaxis, can generally still be vaccinated, and your pharmacist will ask about allergies before giving the vaccine. If you have had an allergic reaction to a flu vaccine before, tell the pharmacist, as that changes the advice.
Once a year. The vaccine is updated each year to match the strains expected that season, and your protection fades over months, so an annual shot is the standard recommendation.
Yes, community pharmacies across Australia give flu vaccinations. The minimum age a pharmacist can vaccinate varies by state and territory, so check with your local pharmacy if it is for a young child.
It is free for people in the National Immunisation Program funded groups listed above. Others can still get it for a fee.
It generally takes about two weeks to build protection after the shot.
Yes. The flu vaccine is recommended and funded for free at any stage of pregnancy.
This page is general health information for educational purposes only. It is not personal medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and does not establish a practitioner-patient relationship. Eligibility and funding are set by the National Immunisation Program and can change. Ask your pharmacist or doctor about your situation.
