Influenza frequently asked questions

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

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

See Influenza (seasonal) - including symptoms, treatment and prevention.

In Australia, the peak influenza season occurs during winter which is from June to the end of August.

To protect against the spread of influenza, free influenza vaccines are offered to eligible people every year from April (in autumn before winter). While getting an influenza vaccine is recommended before winter, having the vaccine later in the year will still provide protection as the virus circulates year round.

Influenza virus strains change every year, so it’s important to get vaccinated every year, to protect against the currently circulating influenza virus strains.

People who get vaccinated to protect against serious influenza are:

• less likely to become infected with the influenza virus
• less likely to become seriously unwell if they are exposed to people infected with the virus.

No. The influenza vaccines are safe and effective and do not spread or cause influenza.

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

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.

Yes, 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

The free influenza vaccines given by injection are provided each year under the Australian Government’s National Immunisation Program (NIP) for Medicare-eligible people.

While the influenza vaccines are free for eligible people, some providers may charge a service or consultation fee. Ask about fees when booking an appointment.

The NIP influenza vaccines have been used safely across Australia every year for many years.

See Annual Influenza Programs for eligibility criteria.

The other influenza protection programs funded by the Government of South Australia include the free:

• influenza vaccines for people aged 6 months and older experiencing homelessness
  
• influenza vaccines for people aged 5 years to less than 65 years with Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome).
  

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

For people not eligible under the Annual Influenza Programs, the influenza vaccines are available from some immunisation providers for a fee. To find an immunisation provider near you, see the vaccination services page.

The Annual Influenza Programs offer vaccines for free – for eligible people at increased risk of complications. 

The free vaccines help these people to build and strengthen their immunity to minimise the chance they develop serious illness from influenza.

While the influenza vaccines are free for eligible people, some providers may charge a service or consultation fee. Ask about fees when booking an appointment.

All the available influenza vaccines are:

• latex-free
• safe for children with egg allergy, including severe allergy.

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

The NIP influenza vaccines for people aged over 6 months are inactivated, meaning it is not a live 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 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.

Serious side effects are rare. 

Some children may have mild symptoms which are temporary, such as:

• headache
• mild fever
• muscle aches
• tiredness and lethargy
• a loss of appetite
• local soreness, itching and redness at the injection site (if given the injection).
  

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.