PEOPLE aged 65-plus (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 55-plus) can now book in for a free flu shot. All Australian states and territories are again participating in the National Immunisation Program for this purpose.
In New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria, apart from GPs and community health centres, pharmacies are also able to administer the flu jab.
Queensland is trialling a pharmacy program with 70 regional pharmacies, while the Northern Territory is using selected pharmacies.
In Western Australia, South Australia and the ACT, pharmacies are not available for flu jabs.
Getting the flu vaccine reduces your risk of getting the flu by up to 60 per cent and most importantly it provides vital protection against severe illness and death.
This is especially important for those who are immunocompromised or living in close proximity to someone who is susceptible to serious illness from influenza.
Vaccination against flu is especially important this year, given COVID-19 is also circulating in the community.
The flu shot and COVID-19 booster can be given at the same time, so if you are yet to get either, make sure to book in today.
People aged 65 and over are recommended to have the enhanced quadrivalent vaccine. This protects against four different strains of the flu and stimulates a greater immune response in this age group, known to have a weaker response to vaccination.
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