The Department of Health has highlighted the importance of this year’s annual flu shot in the face of reopened borders and continuing COVID-19 transmission.
The Department said that during the pandemic, Australians had experienced a lower exposure to influenza virus and lower levels of influenza vaccine coverage compared to previous years.
It warned that with the reopening of international borders, a possible resurgence of influenza could occur this winter.
“Annual vaccination is the most important measure to prevent influenza and its complications,” the Department said.
“The highest level of protection occurs in the first three to four months following vaccination.”
It said the Annual Vaccination should ideally occur before the onset of each influenza season which is usually from June to September in most parts of Australia, but which may be different this year.
The Department said vaccination from April would provide protection before the peak season.
It said the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) had advised that influenza vaccines could be co-administered (on the same day) with a COVID-19 vaccine.
“Subject to the availability of influenza vaccines, co-administration with COVID-19 booster vaccines could be a prompt for influenza vaccination,” it said.
The Department said it expected free flu vaccines under the National Immunisation Program to be available from April, subject to local supply arrangements.
