All people aged 6 months and over should get the flu vaccine to defend against flu viruses.
Influenza (flu) is a major cause of illness in Australia and people die of the flu each year. Some years, the current flu strains are much more serious than others.
Lifting of COVID-19-related social distancing measures in some states may allow flu viruses to spread again.
The best action you can take against flu and its complications is vaccination. If more people are vaccinated, less flu will spread in the community.
Talk to your GP about the best time for you to get your flu vaccine. Getting your vaccine at any time is better than not getting it at all.
How much a flu vaccine protects you can vary based on:
- your age
- what other health conditions you have
- how much flu virus is spreading in the community
- how good a match the vaccine is for the main virus strains of that season.
On top of vaccination, it is good to know what else you can do to stop the spread of flu.
Should I get vaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes. Flu vaccination is important each year.
Flu vaccination will not stop you from getting infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. It will help you avoid the flu and its complications.
Reducing the spread of flu is a good way to lower strain on the healthcare system during the pandemic.
Practice social distancing (at least 1.5 metres) and careful hygiene when getting your flu vaccine.