When to get your flu shot in Western Sydney, and who gets it free

Every autumn the same questions arrive at reception: when should I have my flu shot, is it free, and can I have it with anything else? Influenza is not a heavy cold. In a typical year it puts thousands of Australians in hospital, and in Western Sydney, where many households span three generations, protecting one person protects the family.

The best time to have your flu vaccine

Flu vaccines are usually available from April. Protection takes about two weeks to develop and lasts for the season, though it gradually fades. Because NSW flu activity usually peaks between June and September, having your vaccine in April or May gives good cover through the busiest months. If you missed that window, it is still worth having later in the year; flu circulates well into spring.

Who gets a free flu shot

Under the National Immunisation Program the flu vaccine is free for people at higher risk of complications:

• Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
• Everyone aged 65 and over
• Pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
• People with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, chronic lung disease or a weakened immune system

If you are not in a funded group, a private flu vaccine is available at the clinic for a small fee, and many employers also fund workplace programs.

Flu and COVID vaccines together

Yes, you can have a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same visit. One in each arm is common and does not reduce the effectiveness of either. Your GP or practice nurse will check your eligibility for a COVID booster at the same time.

Flu shots for children

Children under 9 having the flu vaccine for the first time need two doses at least four weeks apart. After that, one dose a year is enough. The vaccine is free for children under 5 and recommended for all children; it is particularly important for kids with asthma. Our nurses are experienced with anxious little patients, and a quick distraction usually does the trick.

Flu shots in pregnancy

Influenza is more serious during pregnancy, and the vaccine is recommended and free at any stage. It also passes some protection to your baby for the first months of life. It can be given at the same visit as the whooping cough vaccine, which is recommended between 20 and 32 weeks.

Common side effects

A sore arm for a day or two is the most common effect. Some people feel tired or achy or run a mild temperature for a day. The flu vaccine cannot give you the flu because it does not contain live virus. Serious reactions are very rare, and our staff are trained to manage them.

Which flu vaccine will I be given?

Several brands are used in Australia each year and all cover the same four strains recommended by the World Health Organization for the southern hemisphere. People aged 65 and over are given an adjuvanted vaccine, which contains an ingredient that boosts the immune response in older adults. Children receive age-appropriate doses. Your practice nurse will select the right product for you; you do not need to choose.

Other vaccines to consider at the same visit

The flu appointment is a good moment to review the rest of your immunisation record. Adults aged 65 and over are eligible for a free shingles vaccine (Shingrix, two doses) and a free pneumococcal vaccine. Pregnant women should have the whooping cough vaccine between 20 and 32 weeks and, from 2025, the RSV vaccine to protect their newborn. Adults who have not had a tetanus booster in ten years may be due. Our nurse can check the Australian Immunisation Register and give any catch-up doses on the day.

Flu shots for people with chronic conditions

If you have asthma, COPD, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or a weakened immune system, influenza is more likely to cause a serious complication such as pneumonia or a hospital admission. The vaccine is free for you under the National Immunisation Program and is strongly recommended every year. If you have a GP management plan, your annual flu shot should be part of it.

Can I still get the flu after the vaccine?

Yes, but it is less likely and usually milder. Flu vaccine effectiveness varies from year to year depending on how well the strains match, typically preventing 40 to 60 percent of infections and a higher proportion of severe illness. Combined with hand washing, staying home when unwell and good ventilation, vaccination remains the single most effective protection available.

Booking your flu vaccine in Toongabbie

Book a nurse or GP appointment online through HotDoc or call (02) 7813 6000. Bring your Medicare card, and let us know if you would like a COVID booster or any catch-up vaccines at the same time.