National Immunisation Program (NIP)
The National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides FREE flu vaccinations to people most at risk of complications from influenza, including:
- People aged 65 and older
- First Nations people aged 6 months*† and over
- Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
- Children 6 months to less than 5 years old*†.
- People aged 6 months*† and older with medical conditions that put them at risk of complications from the flu
Needle‑free flu protection for children & adolescents*
The intranasal flu vaccine is a needle‑free nasal spray influenza vaccine designed for children and adolescents. It provides immunity like the traditional flu injection, but is administered as a spray into each nostril, making it an option for children and adolescents who prefer to avoid needles.
It's approved for children and adolescents aged 2–17 years. Availability and government funding differ across Australia.
Cell-based flu vaccination
Cell-based flu vaccines are developed using mammalian cells rather than chicken eggs. Available for children, adolescents and adults aged from:
- QLD & SA: 6 months and older
- NSW, TAS, ACT & WA: 2 years and older
- All other states: 5 years and older
High-dose trivalent flu vaccination
This vaccination is recommended for individuals aged 60 years and older to help protect against influenza and serious complications such as pneumonia.