Eltham Ridge Medical Centre

Some people are at higher risk of complications due to the flu and it is recommended they get the flu vaccine. These include:
- Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
- Pregnant women for each pregnancy and at any stage of pregnancy
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
- People aged 65 years and over
- People aged 6 months and over with certain medical conditions such as cardiac disease, chronic respiratory condition, immunocompromising conditions, and others

Talk to your GP to find out if you are at a higher risk and how to protect yourself from the flu.

When is the best time to get a flu vaccine?

It is recommended that you get your annual influenza vaccine anytime from April onwards to be protected for the peak flu season, which is generally June to September. The highest level of protection happens in the first 3 to 4 months following vaccination.

It is never too late to get your vaccination as influenza can circulate in the community all year round.

The influenza vaccination is recommended for pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy.

If you had last season's flu vaccine late last year or early this year, you should still get the new season vaccine when it becomes available.

Ask your GP about getting the flu vaccine today.

Babies and children have higher risks of complications from the flu. Some children may be unable to attend childcare or preschool for two weeks or more, whilst every year in Australia, hundreds of children become so unwell from the flu that they need to be treated in the hospital. Most of them are babies and children under 5 years of age.

Read more about childhood flu vaccination here 👉 https://ow.ly/euWK50XKE4e

You can also ask your family GP if you have questions about your child's flu vaccination and other important childhood immunisations.