Free influenza vaccines are available to protect children aged 6 months to under 5 years against serious illness from influenza.

Young children under 5 are particularly vulnerable to influenza-related complications – which can prevent them from doing the things they love.

Influenza is a serious disease

Influenza is a serious and highly infectious (contagious) viral illness.

It can cause breathing problems, chest infections and painful ear infections in young children, even if they are healthy.

Influenza infections can also lead to serious complications like bronchitis, pneumonia or even death.

High influenza case rates in children

Children aged under 5 years have some of the highest rates of influenza infections and hospitalisations, and are more likely to spread influenza to other family members.

Last year, 430 children admitted to hospital with serious influenza complications were aged under 5 years.

Protect them each winter with a free vaccine

Getting an annual influenza vaccine before winter every year is recommended for anyone aged 6 months or older.

To protect against the spread of influenza, free influenza vaccines are offered to eligible children every year from April.

Free influenza vaccine options in 2026

Children aged 6 months to under 5 years are eligible for a free influenza vaccine if they are Medicare-eligible.

The two ways your child can receive a free influenza vaccine include:

  • by an injection with the influenza vaccine
  • by a nasal spray influenza vaccine (available for children aged 2 to under 5 years).

Influenza vaccine (injection)

The free influenza vaccine given by injection is provided each year under the Australian Government’s National Immunisation Program (NIP).

This NIP influenza vaccine has been used safely in children across Australia every year for many years.

It is available in South Australia ahead of the 2026 winter season.

This NIP influenza vaccine is available for children aged 6 months to under 5 years.

This NIP influenza vaccine is given by intramuscular injection in the arm or leg depending on your child’s age.

The NIP influenza vaccine for children is inactivated, meaning it is not a live vaccine.

Nasal spray influenza vaccine

The Influenza Nasal Spray Immunisation Program for children aged 2 to less than 5 years ended on 7 August.

Vaccine safety

The influenza vaccines are safe and effective and do not spread or cause influenza.

The influenza vaccines have been around for a long time and have been extensively tested for safety and effectiveness. The vaccines are:

  • Approved by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
  • Updated every year to protect against any changed seasonal strains of the influenza virus spreading.
  • Trivalent, which means they protect against three influenza virus strains, as recommended by the World Health Organisation.

See more about Vaccine safety:

National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) – vaccine safety

AusVaxSafety – Safety data

How the vaccines work

Influenza vaccines build and strengthen a child’s immune system, to help train their bodies to recognise the influenza virus and protect them against serious influenza infection.

After vaccination, your child may still get influenza, but it is usually much milder.

It usually takes about two weeks for the influenza vaccines to provide protection.

The highest level of protection happens in the first three to four months following vaccination.

Influenza vaccine doses

Most children only need one influenza vaccine each year. This is the same whether your child receives the NIP influenza vaccine injection or the nasal spray influenza vaccine.

If this is your child’s first influenza vaccination, they will need two free doses spaced four weeks apart for the best protection, if they are:

  • aged 6 months to under 2 years, or
  • aged 2 to under 9 years with medical risk factors.

If children need a second dose, and are aged 2 to less than 5, they can have either the NIP influenza vaccine injection or the nasal spray influenza vaccine, regardless of which vaccine was given for the first dose.

Influenza vaccines can also be given at the same time as most other vaccines.

If your immunisation provider recommends two free doses of the influenza vaccine, ask them to:

  • book-in the second vaccination appointment at the first vaccination
  • check if your child is up-to-date with their other childhood vaccinations and get these at the same time
  • send you an appointment reminder.

Vaccine ingredients and allergies

Always talk to your immunisation provider about your child’s allergies and any other concerns you may have before vaccination.

All the available influenza vaccines are:

  • latex-free

  • safe for children with egg allergy, including severe allergy.

Vaccine side effects

Serious side effects are rare.

Some children may have mild symptoms which are temporary, such as local soreness, itching and redness at the injection site. 

Other mild side effects from the influenza vaccines may include:

  • a headache
  • mild fever
  • muscle aches
  • tiredness and lethargy
  • a loss of appetite. 

Any unexpected side effects should be reported to your immunisation provider or doctor, or go to a hospital.

You can call SA Health on 1300 232 272, Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm or get advice from a nurse by calling Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 anytime.

See more about possible side effects of vaccination. 

How to access my child’s free vaccine

You can get your child vaccinated with a free influenza vaccine at:

  • your local doctor (GP clinics)
  • council immunisation clinics
  • participating pharmacies
  • Aboriginal Health clinics.

The influenza vaccines are free for eligible children, but some immunisation providers may charge a consultation fee. Ask about fees when making an appointment.

If you don’t have a local immunisation provider, find out where to get vaccinated near you.

Further information

See the Frequently asked questions about influenza and the Annual influenza programs.

Related information