It’s that time of year again. Summer is in the rearview mirror, and autumn is slowly starting to fade into winter.
It’s a time of bright and chilly days, trees turning orange … and respiratory viruses spreading through our communities.
Yes, it’s the start of influenza season, which means it’s a very, very good idea to get your annual flu vaccination as soon as you can.
Sometimes you hear people describing influenza as “a bad cold”. When you hear that, it’s a sure sign that you’re talking to someone who has never had a bad case of it.
As people who have really experienced it will agree, flu is a very unpleasant combination of phlegm, coughs, muscle pains, tiredness and headaches which can confine even very healthy people to bed for a couple of weeks.
And for people who are less than healthy – or very young, or quite old – influenza can result in hospital stays and even, sometimes, death.
It is not something to take lightly – so it’s very good that getting an annual vaccination is easy, painless, and for many people free.
Experts recommend a flu vaccination for all people aged over six months. Under the Australian Government’s National Immunisation Program, some groups can have one at no cost. These include children under five, First Nations people, all people over 65, people with certain chronic illnesses, and pregnant women.
And for all people who don’t fit into these categories, you can still get your vaccination at no or low cost if your regular general practice is one of the increasing number which bulk-bills appointments.
This year there are a few different types of vaccine available. There’s one, for instance, especially formulated for older people, and another which is a nasal spray – just right for children who are nervous about needles.
There are also formulations safe for people with allergies.
Your doctor or other immunisation provider will ask you some questions to make sure you receive a vaccine which is effective and safe for you.
Of course, doctors aren’t the only people who can administer a vaccine and keep you safe from the flu. A lot of nurses in general practice can do so – and so can lots of pharmacists.
If you’re not sure where to go, a website called Healthdirect has a service finder which can identify all the vaccination providers near your home.
And finally, if you’re going to get your flu vaccination done, think about some others you can have at the same time. Talk to your GP or other provider about perhaps also getting protected against COVID-19, or RSV, or measles or shingles. All of these are perfectly safe to get at the same appointment.
This is a lovely time of year. Let’s all do our best to make it a safe one, too.
This article was first published in Star Weekly on 28 April 2026.
