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Who should get an influenza vaccination?

Anyone that wishes to defend themselves from potentially debilitating influenza should consult their doctor about getting an influenza vaccination.

The flu vaccination should be taken every year as the common strains which cause influenza change every year. The influenza vaccine is updated every year accordingly.

Certain people are unable to receive the flu vaccine for safety reasons, such as infants under six months of age, people allergic to ingredients in the vaccine, and people with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (immune system disorder). As these people cannot receive the vaccine they are susceptible to contracting the virus. Due to this, it is highly recommended that all other people receive the vaccine even if you are not concerned with reducing the severity of your own potential flu symptoms as it helps build up herd immunity, reducing the risk of you passing the virus on to someone in these at risk groups.

At Assure Health we provide free flu vaccinations to everyone who can safely receive them with no exceptions.

The influenza vaccination is recommended every year for the following groups:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
  • People aged 6 months or over who have medical conditions that mean they are at a higher risk of contracting a serious disease
  • Pregnant women
  • People aged 65 years or over
  • All children over 6 months and all adults
  • Women who are planning a pregnancy
  • People who live or work in aged care homes or long-term facilities
  • Homeless people, and the people who care for them
  • Healthcare workers
  • People who live or work in the same household as someone who is at high risk of serious disease from influenza
  • People who work in early childhood education and care
  • People who work in the chicken or pig industries, if there is an outbreak of bird flu or swine flu
  • People who are travelling overseas.