2018 National Immunisation Program influenza vaccines available

7 May 2018

Key information about the 2018 National Immunisation Program seasonal influenza vaccines 

• Four age-specific quadrivalent influenza vaccines (QIVs) are available at no cost to eligible people.
• For those aged 65 years and over, two new trivalent influenza vaccines (TIVs) are preferentially recommended and available.
• People eligible for a free influenza vaccine through the NIP include: 
• pregnant women
• people aged 65 years and over
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged:
  • six months to less than five years
  • 5 years and over
• people aged six months and over with medical conditions predisposing them to severe influenza
• Evidence suggests that optimal protection against influenza occurs within the first three to four months following vaccination. Timing of vaccination should aim to achieve the highest level of protection during peak influenza season, usually from June to September in Australia.

Resources and recent updates

Seasonal Influenza Vaccination 2018 – NSW Health – 7 May

Clinical update: 2018 influenza vaccines – advice for vaccination providers – 18 April

Clinical update: Statement on presence of latex in Fluad trivalent influenza vaccine – 20 April

Advice from the Therapeutic Goods Administration – 27 March

ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in 2018 – 21 March