Influenza vaccine for people aged 65 and over - common questions & answers for providers
State and Territory information:
Questions and answers about influenza vaccine eligibility, vaccine distribution and arrangements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Downloadable printable version of this information (PDF 57 KB)
Who is eligible for free influenza vaccine?
Why is influenza vaccination recommended for older people?
What arrangements have been made for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities?
How will I receive my free vaccine?
When will the free influenza vaccine become available for older Australians?
How will other people who are under 65 get their influenza vaccine?
How effective is influenza vaccine?
Can influenza vaccine cause the flu?
Is the influenza vaccine safe?
Who should not be vaccinated against influenza?
Who is eligible for free influenza vaccine?
All Australians aged 65 years and older are eligible to receive the free influenza vaccine.Why is influenza vaccination recommended for older people?
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for individuals over 65 years of age because of the greatly increased risk of death or complications in this age group.For most healthy adults, influenza illness resolves in a few days without any complications. However, in some persons, especially those aged 65 years and older and persons with certain chronic medical conditions, complications from influenza illness can occur, such as pneumonia, requiring hospitalisation, and may cause death.
The administration of influenza vaccine to individuals at risk is the single most important measure in preventing or reducing influenza infection symptoms, and decreasing mortality rates.
What arrangements have been made for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities?
An information sheet about the National Indigenous Pneumococcal and Influenza Immunisation Program (NIPII) is available for your information. See Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.This program provides free influenza and pneumococcal vaccine for indigenous people 50 years and over and 15-49 year olds considered being at high risk of complications and death.
How will I receive my free vaccine?
Vaccines are supplied and distributed directly to providers, including GPs, in the same way as currently happens for the childhood vaccines. This will mean that older Australians will not need a vaccine prescription nor will they need to collect the vaccine from a pharmacy. State and Territory Health Departments will inform providers on how to order vaccines.When will the free influenza vaccine become available for older Australians?
The NHMRC recommends that influenza vaccination be provided in early autumn, in anticipation of influenza outbreaks in winter. The Health Department in your State or Territory will advise when free vaccines are available for ordering.How will other people who are under 65 get their influenza vaccine?
People aged under 65 years will require a vaccine prescription and will need to obtain the vaccine from a pharmacy. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) allows people aged under 65 years at special risk of adverse consequences from influenza infections to purchase the vaccine at a subsidised price.How effective is influenza vaccine?
When there is a good match between vaccine and circulating influenza strains, influenza vaccine gives about 70% protection against infection for about one year. Low levels of protection may persist for a further year but to maximise protection, annual vaccination is necessary.Can influenza vaccines cause the flu?
No. Influenza vaccines contain killed virus that cannot cause influenza.Is the influenza vaccine safe?
Yes. The most frequent side effect of vaccination is soreness at the vaccination site which may last up to two days. 'Flu-like' symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and muscle soreness can also occur, however, these symptoms are not as common.Immediate allergic reactions (such as hives, angio-oedema, asthma or systemic anaphylaxis) rarely occur after influenza vaccination. These reactions probably represent an allergic response to a residual component of the vaccine manufacturing process, most likely egg protein. Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) has been only rarely associated with influenza vaccine. See below for further details.
Any serious or adverse reaction should be reported to the Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee (ADRAC). See Report problems (TGA)
Who should not be vaccinated against influenza?
The Australian Immunisation Handbook 9th Edition 2008 (NHMRC). sets out the contraindications to influenza vaccination. Individuals with anaphylactic hypersensitivity to eggs should not be given influenza vaccine. Specifically, this includes people who, on ingestion of eggs, develop swelling of the lips or tongue or experience acute respiratory distress or collapse. Influenza vaccine should also not be given to individuals who are hypersensitive to any of the vaccine product components or have an acute febrile illness.In addition, patients with a confirmed history of GBS associated with influenza vaccination may be at increased risk of GBS if given influenza vaccine again. This risk should be weighed against the benefits to the individual patient of vaccination.
Some providers elect not to vaccinate patients taking theophylline, phenytoin and warfarin preparations due to possible enhanced drug effects or toxicity. The use of these medications is not an absolute contraindication to influenza vaccination; however, careful observation of patients taking these medications is indicated. Refer to product information for further details.
Page last modified: April, 2008
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