Influenza is different from the common cold. It is usually more severe, lasts longer, and it can make your child very unwell.
It is recommended that all children aged 6 months or older have an annual vaccination to protect them against influenza.
Influenza vaccines given as an injection are free for all children aged 6 months to under 5 years.
If your child is 6 months or older, it is recommended they get an influenza vaccine every year. Influenza vaccines are typically given as a needle, usually in the thigh or arm. Influenza vaccines given as an injection are free for all children aged 6 months to under 5 years.
Medically at-risk children aged 6 months to 9 years should receive 2 doses the first time they receive a flu vaccine. If your child receives a medical treatment that makes their immune system very weak (e.g., haematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplant or CAR T-cell therapy), they should have 2 doses. Speak to your doctor, nurse or specialist to understand what flu vaccine schedule is recommended for your child.
From 2026, some Australian states will provide a nasal flu vaccine for free to children. The specific age included in state programs varies by state. You can find more information about the nasal flu vaccine on the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance website.
Some children aged 5 years and older are eligible for a free flu vaccine given as an injection in the arm. This includes children with certain health or medical risk conditions and children who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. If your child does not meet those eligibility criteria, you may need to pay a fee for the vaccine.
Your child can get their annual influenza vaccination on its own, or at the same time as their age-specific vaccinations. The best time to get an influenza vaccine is before the influenza season, which is usually June to September.1
Influenza, sometimes called ‘the flu’ is an illness caused by influenza viruses. Although some of the symptoms are similar, influenza is different from the common cold. It is usually more severe and lasts longer.
Even if they are usually healthy, influenza can make your child very unwell. Influenza can lead to serious conditions like severe lung infection (pneumonia) or inflammation in the brain (encephalitis). Babies and children under 5 years are more likely to get severe influenza. They are more likely than adults and older children to need treatment in hospital.2
There’s no need to do anything special to get your baby or child ready for vaccination.
Most parents take their children to be vaccinated at their local general practice or at a vaccination clinic. If possible, take your child’s health record booklet with you so your doctor or nurse can make notes about the vaccinations they have had.
No matter how gentle your doctor or nurse is, needles hurt! And most children cry at least a little after they get a needle. The good news is there are some things you can do for your child to make needles feel less painful.
Some children could feel a little unwell or unsettled for a day or 2 after they get their vaccinations. Most of the common reactions will last between 12 and 24 hours and then get better, with just a little bit of love and care from you at home.
Serious side effects are very rare, but they can happen and some parents want to know more about them before they vaccinate their children.
If your child doesn’t seem to be getting better, or you are worried about them, you can get help from:
If your child is aged 6 months to 2 years and is getting the influenza vaccine for the first time, then it is recommended they have 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart. The second year your child gets an influenza vaccine (and every year after that), they will only need one dose. Getting your child the flu vaccine every year after the age of 5 years is still strongly recommended. This helps protect children of all ages from getting sick and reduces the spread of flu in families, schools and the community.
If your child is aged under 9 years, has certain medical conditions and is getting an influenza vaccine for the first time, they will need a second dose 4 weeks later.
Your child will also need to get their age-specific vaccinations. It is important that babies and children get vaccinated on time to make sure they are protected as early as possible.
If your child’s age-specific vaccinations are due just before the influenza season (usually June to September), they can get these vaccines and an influenza vaccine at the same appointment.
If you still have some questions about vaccinations for your child, write them down and make an appointment with your nurse, your doctor, or your health worker so you can ask them.
