Overview
Protects against seasonal influenza viruses. Recommended for all travellers, especially those at higher risk of complications.
Recommended annually for all travellers, particularly those at higher risk of complications (adults aged 65+, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, those with chronic medical conditions, children aged 6 months to under 5 years). Influenza circulates year-round in tropical regions and during winter in the opposite hemisphere.
Vaccination Schedule
Standard schedule: Single dose annually for adults. Children aged 6 months to under 9 years receiving influenza vaccine for the first time: 2 doses given at least 4 weeks apart.
Accelerated schedule: No accelerated schedule. Single dose for most adults.
Route: Intramuscular injection
Brands Available in Australia (TGA-Registered)
- Fluarix Tetra (GSK)
- Vaxigrip Tetra (Sanofi)
- Afluria Quad (Seqirus)
- FluQuadri (Sanofi)
Cost in Australia
Estimated cost: Free for NIP-eligible groups. Private: $15-$30 per dose.
Medicare/PBS: Funded under NIP for: adults aged 65+, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months+, pregnant women, people aged 6 months+ with specified chronic medical conditions, children aged 6 months to under 5 years. Not funded for other adult travellers.
Efficacy & Duration
Efficacy: 40-60% in a well-matched season for preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza
Vaccine effectiveness varies each year depending on the match between circulating strains and vaccine strains. In well-matched seasons, effectiveness is approximately 40-60% against laboratory-confirmed influenza. Even when effectiveness is lower, vaccination reduces severity, hospitalisation, and death.
Duration of protection: Protection wanes over 3-6 months. Annual revaccination is required. Vaccine composition is updated each year (Southern Hemisphere formulation for Australian autumn, Northern Hemisphere formulation if travelling to a Northern Hemisphere winter).
Side Effects
| Side Effect | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Injection site pain, redness, swelling | Very common (>50%) |
| Fatigue, headache, myalgia | Common (10-50%) |
| Fever, malaise, nausea | Uncommon (1-10%) |
| Guillain-Barre syndrome | Very rare (approximately 1-2 per million doses) |
Contraindications
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a previous dose of influenza vaccine
- Severe allergic reaction to any vaccine component (most modern vaccines contain trace or no egg protein)
- Children under 6 months of age
- History of Guillain-Barre syndrome within 6 weeks of a previous influenza vaccination (relative contraindication)
Special Populations
Pregnancy
Recommended during pregnancy (any trimester). Influenza vaccine is an inactivated vaccine and is safe in pregnancy. Vaccination during pregnancy also provides passive protection to the newborn for the first few months of life.
Children
Licensed from 6 months of age. Children aged 6 months to under 9 years receiving influenza vaccine for the first time need 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart. Subsequent years require only 1 annual dose.
Immunocompromised Travellers
Safe and strongly recommended for immunocompromised individuals (inactivated vaccine). Immune response may be reduced. Annual vaccination is especially important as immunocompromised people are at higher risk of severe influenza complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a flu vaccine before travelling?
Influenza vaccination is recommended before travel, particularly if you are travelling during the influenza season in your destination (winter months), travelling on cruise ships, or attending mass gatherings such as the Hajj. Influenza circulates year-round in tropical regions.
Which flu vaccine should I get for overseas travel?
If travelling to the Northern Hemisphere during their winter (October-April), you may benefit from the Northern Hemisphere formulation of the flu vaccine, which contains strains more likely to be circulating in those regions. Discuss with your travel medicine clinic. The standard Australian vaccine uses the Southern Hemisphere formulation.
Is the flu vaccine free?
The flu vaccine is free under the NIP for people aged 65+, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months+, children aged 6 months to under 5 years, and people with certain chronic conditions. Otherwise, it costs approximately $15-$30 plus a consultation fee. Many pharmacies offer walk-in flu vaccination.
How long does the flu vaccine protect me?
Protection wanes over 3-6 months and the circulating strains change each year. Annual vaccination is necessary. If you were vaccinated for the Australian autumn season (April-May) and are travelling to the Northern Hemisphere winter 6+ months later, you may benefit from a second dose of the Northern Hemisphere formulation.
Can I get the flu vaccine at a pharmacy?
Yes. Pharmacists in all Australian states and territories can administer influenza vaccine to adults. Some states allow pharmacists to vaccinate children from age 10+. This is often the most convenient option for travellers. No appointment is usually needed.
Is the flu vaccine safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Influenza vaccine is strongly recommended during pregnancy (any trimester). It is an inactivated vaccine and is safe for both the mother and the baby. Vaccination during pregnancy also provides passive protection to the newborn for the first 6 months of life through maternal antibodies.
Can I still get the flu after being vaccinated?
Yes. The flu vaccine is not 100% effective and does not protect against all influenza strains. However, even if you do get the flu after vaccination, it is likely to be milder and shorter. The vaccine significantly reduces the risk of hospitalisation and death from influenza.
Should I get the flu vaccine if I am already sick?
If you have a mild illness without fever, you can still receive the flu vaccine. If you have a moderate to severe illness with fever, defer vaccination until you have recovered. You do not need to be completely symptom-free, but significant fever is a reason to wait.
Sources & References
Last updated: April 2026