Flu vaccinations

When to get the flu vaccine

• A flu vaccine every year gives you protection against becoming severely unwell with flu.  
• This helps protect you, your family and the community from flu. 
• It is best to have a flu vaccine from mid-April to give the best protection before the peak of the flu season.  

Who can receive a free flu vaccine?

Flu vaccination is available from GPs and most local pharmacies. People at greater risk of severe illness from influenza can get a free vaccine. Speak to your GP, healthcare provider or local pharmacy to book an appointment.

People at greater risk and eligible for free flu vaccine through GPs and most pharmacies are:

• All children aged between six months and five years 
• All adults aged 65 years and over 
• Pregnant women (at any stage in your pregnancy) 
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from six months of age 
• All people over 6 months of age with chronic medical conditions. 

This year the Tasmanian Government will also be running free flu vaccination clinics for eligible people. This includes:

• People with disabilities, their family/household members and disability support workers
• Workers in residential aged care facilities, in-home and community-based aged care, and family/household members of older people.
• People in rural and remote areas without access to vaccination providers
• Workers in other critical industries:
  • Food, agriculture, aquaculture
  • Hospitality
  • Education and early childhood education and care
  • Freight, logistics and manufacturing
  • Healthcare
  • Emergency management (including prisons and correctional facilities)

What are chronic medical conditions?

• Heart disease 
• Lung disease 
• Liver disease 
• Kidney disease 
• Severe asthma 
• Diabetes 
• Cancer 
• A weak immune system (from illness or medical treatment) 
• Neuromuscular conditions (affecting your muscles and nerves). 

Where to get your flu vaccine

• Flu vaccines are available through your GP and some local council immunisation clinics and pharmacies. Phone to confirm Influenza vaccine availability before attending.
• Tasmanian Government flu vaccination clinics. Find out more about the tas-gov flu vaccine clinics and eligibility.

Side effects from the flu vaccine

• Side effects are if you feel sick following your vaccine. 
• Common side effects are usually mild, don’t last long and go away without any treatment, like pain and swelling at the injection site.  
• Fever is less common. 
• There is no live virus in the vaccines used in Australia. 
• It is not possible for the flu vaccine to give you the flu.   
• If you have any concerns or questions about the flu vaccine, please discuss with your GP. 

Information about allergies

• Most types of flu vaccines contain a very small amount of egg protein. 
• If you have a mild egg allergy, you can still have the flu vaccine. 
• If you have a severe egg allergy or a history of severe allergic reaction following flu vaccination, talk to your doctor about the vaccine. 
• The vaccine may be given to you by a doctor experienced in managing severe allergic conditions. 

Information about flu vaccines and coronavirus (COVID-19)

•  You can now have your COVID-19 and flu vaccines on the same day or close together.  
• Speak to your GP about when it is best for you to receive your flu and coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines.  

Learn more about coronavirus (COVID-19).

State Government flu vaccine clinics

This year the Tasmanian Government are running free flu vaccination clinics for eligible people, including:

• People with disabilities, their family/household members and disability support workers
• Workers in residential aged care facilities, in-home and community-based aged care, and family/household members of older people.
• People in rural and remote areas without access to vaccination providers
• Workers in other critical industries:
  • Food, agriculture, aquaculture
  • Hospitality
  • Education and early childhood education and care
  • Freight, logistics and manufacturing
  • Healthcare
  • Emergency management (including prisons and correctional facilities)

Bookings are preferred, however walk-ins are welcome at these clinics, just go to the clinic during opening hours.
More locations and dates will be added for clinics during May 2022.