Safeguard against flu season: book your immunisation online today

There has never been a more important time for people to have a

Vaccination is the single most effective way of preventing the spread of flu in our community and getting vaccinated now will protect you before the peak flu period, usually from June to September.

The Australian Government recommends everyone aged six months and over be immunised against seasonal flu.

Influenza is a respiratory infection with the potential to cause serious complications, particularly among young children, seniors and people with certain medical conditions.

Health authorities are advising that although the flu vaccine does not prevent against COVID-19, it will help to reduce the severity and spread of seasonal influenza, which can lower a person’s immunity and make them susceptible to other illnesses and diseases, including coronavirus.

From 1 May 2020, all aged care workers and visitors must be vaccinated against seasonal influenza before entering an aged care facility.

Council is continuing to operate its immunisation service to ensure the community is protected from vaccine preventable diseases, while taking into account the required social distancing and hygiene practices.

While COVID-19 restrictions are in place, flu immunisations will be provided at dedicated flu-only sessions held at:

To attend a session, you must book an appointment online for the venue of your choice. Appointment times have also been extended to ensure separation can be maintained between attendees.

Residents can also speak to their GP or pharmacist to arrange a flu vaccination.

Last year, Australia experienced its worst flu season on record, with more than 310,000 people presenting to hospital and health services nationwide.

Latest figures from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing show a total of 19,166 reported cases of Influenza in Australia (as of April 2020), including 3,668 confirmed cases in Victoria. This compares to 18,615 cases reported nationally for the same period last year.

Council is urging members of the community to get immunised, with the flu vaccine provided free through the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for people most at risk. This includes a new quadrivalent vaccine Fluad Quad® for people aged 65 and over.

Those not eligible for the free vaccine can still obtain the latest quadrivalent flu vaccine on a user-pays basis.

Council’s immunisation service has full accreditation in compliance with AS/NZS iSO 9001.

Normally, Australians are advised to wait until mid-April or May to get the annual flu shot to ensure optimal protection across the flu season.

However, the country’s peak health bodies, including the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), are urging Australians to receive a flu vaccine as soon as possible.

RACGP President Dr Harry Nespolon said the spread of COVID-19 meant Australians were not facing a “normal season”.

“If people don’t get vaccinated and an increasing number of flu patients and COVID-19 patients require urgent health care, lives will be put at risk,” Dr Nespolon said.

“The last thing we want to see is patients infected with both influenza and COVID-19,” he said.

Australian Medical Association President, Dr Tony Bartone, said the influenza vaccine was the only safe, proven, and tested way of not becoming an influenza statistic.

“People who get the influenza vaccine now will be better protected from the serious prospect of having both COVID-19 and influenza at the same time,” Dr Bartone said.

Medical experts have advised that most people will develop immunity within two to three weeks of having their flu shot.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, there are strong national requirements for all Australians to stay home unless they are undertaking essential activities, however residents are permitted to leave home for medical or other health care needs, including attending an appointment to get a flu shot.

World Immunisation Week (24 to 30 April) – whose theme this year is #VaccinesWork for All – aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. 

The awareness-raising week highlights that immunisation saves millions of lives and is widely recognised as one of the world’s successful and cost-effective health interventions.

This year’s campaign also focuses on how vaccines – and the people who develop, deliver and receive them – are heroes by working to protect the health of everyone, everywhere around the world.

For up-to-date information on Council-run immunisation services, visit our Public immunisation session page or call us on 1300 88 22 33.