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The 2025 Queensland Free Flu Vaccination Program is available to all Queensland residents.
The flu vaccine is recommended for anyone over the age of 6 months and current guidelines also recommend people over 75 years to get a booster every 6 months, with those aged 18 – 74 years to receive one every 12 months.
Medicare eligibility
The 2025 Queensland Free Flu Vaccination Program is available to all Queensland residents, regardless of Medicare eligibility. Residents without a Medicare card should consider speaking with a local pharmacy or community health clinic for information about accessing the flu vaccine.
Immunisation significantly reduces hospitalisation risk
More than 90% of Queensland hospitalised flu patients this year have been unvaccinated. Getting immunised greatly lowers your chances of severe illness and hospitalisation.
Why immunisation is so important
Influenza is a very contagious infection that can make some people very sick. It can have serious complications including hospitalisation and death.
Who are the most vulnerable?
People most at risk of hospitalisation and severe illness are young children, older people, pregnant people and people with health conditions like diabetes, lung or heart problems and immunocompromised people.
Flu season is peaking earlier this year
Flu season is peaking earlier than usual, with over 4,800 confirmed cases on the Gold Coast so far in 2025 – the highest in over five years.
Annual immunisation is needed to combat evolving strains
Flu strains constantly evolve, and immunity decreases over time, necessitating yearly immunisation to protect against current circulating strains.
Combining flu and COVID-19 immunisations enhances protection
Receiving COVID-19 booster shots alongside annual influenza immunisations could significantly reduce hospitalisations.
COVID-19 vaccines | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Mild side effects compared to flu severity
Flu vaccines may cause mild side effects like a fever, headache, general tiredness or muscle aches, swelling, redness or pain at the injection site, but these are short-lived and far less severe than the flu itself.
Can the influenza vaccine cause influenza?
Influenza vaccines cannot give a person influenza, because they do not contain a live virus.
Sometimes people are infected with influenza just before they have received their immunisation or after they have received it, but before it has had time to work (up to 2 weeks). This can lead to the mistaken view that the influenza vaccine has caused the infection. Other viruses can also be mistaken for influenza. https://ncirs.org.au/influenza/influenza-vaccines-frequently-asked-questions-faqs
Where you can get immunised
You can get immunised at your local GP, community health clinic or pharmacy. https://www.goldcoast.health.qld.gov.au/our-services/immunisation/free-community-immunisation-clinics
Protect yourself and others – get immunised against influenza
You can help ensure your defences against the flu are the best they can be simply by rolling up your sleeve and getting immunised.
For new Queenslanders
For new arrivals into Australia, the Federal government provides a free service to translate Immunisation Passports, and previous vaccination documents. For more information, go to the Department of Home Affairs Translating Service or call 1800 962 100.
For more information
Talk to your GP if you have any questions about getting the flu vaccine. You can also call 13 HEALTH on 13 43 25 84 and speak to a nurse And finally, please share this article with your family and friends to spread the word and keep our community safe.
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