Influenza immunisation

From 1 May to 31 July 2025, participating immunisation providers were able to administer free state-funded influenza vaccines to people aged 5 to 64 years who are not otherwise eligible for a vaccine under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

Providers involved in the program included some general practices, community pharmacies, Aboriginal Medical Services, nurse practitioner clinics, corporate vaccination service providers and community health clinics.

Interstate and international visitors and those without a Medicare card who are aged 5 to 64 years were also eligible for a state-funded influenza vaccine from 1 May to 31 July 2025.

Note:

• As a condition of receiving state-funded influenza vaccines, immunisation providers must not charge patients for the cost of the vaccine.
• While immunisation providers are recommended to not charge an administration fee, community pharmacists and corporate vaccination service providers participating in the program must not charge an administration fee.
• All vaccines administered must be recorded onto the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). 

Reimbursement program

More information on the reimbursement program is available on the Free Influenza Vaccine Program May to July 2025 - Information for immunisation providers webpage. 

The NIP and the WA Department of Health provide free influenza vaccines for people most at risk. This includes:

• Aboriginal people 6 months and over
• Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
• Primary school aged children (pre-primary to Year 6)
• Children aged 2 to 11 years
• People aged 6 months or over who have medical conditions such as:
  • heart disease
  • kidney disease
  • chronic respiratory conditions
  • chronic illnesses that required regular medical attention or hospitalisation in the previous year
  • chronic neurological conditions
  • immunocompromising conditions
  • haematological disorders
  • diabetes and other metabolic disorders
  • children aged 6 months to 10 years receiving long-term aspirin therapy.
• Vulnerable persons aged 6 months and older, including:
  • persons experiencing housing instability
  • residents in congregate living settings, such as residential aged care, disability care, mental health hostels and youth group houses.
• Pregnant people (at any stage of pregnancy)
• People 65 years and older
• WA Health staff members.

Please see the WA Immunisation Schedule and for detailed advice including vaccine dosage and contraindications, refer to the influenza chapter on the Australian Immunisation Handbook (external site).

The 2026 WA Health Nasal Spray Influenza Vaccine Program offers FluMist vaccine free to children aged 2 to 11 years old in WA. This age group is prioritised because they are at high risk of influenza complications and readily spread influenza to others.

FluMist is a live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) delivered as a nasal spray. No needles are used. The spray is absorbed quickly in the nose, even if a person sneezes afterwards, it will still work.

LAIV can be given at the same time as any other vaccine, including live vaccines. LAIV is contraindicated in:

• people who are moderately and severely immunocompromised
• people receiving oral salicylate therapy (for example, Aspirin)

Completion of the free online influenza immunisation education module is mandatory for WA immunisation providers working under Structured Administration and Supply Arrangement (SASA). The module has been updated to include information about LAIV.

Resources for providers:

• AstraZenica website for providers

• From 1 May to 30 June 2026, free state-funded influenza vaccines are available to people aged 12 to 64 years who are not otherwise eligible for a free influenza vaccine under the NIP.
• General practices, community pharmacies, Aboriginal Medical Services, nurse practitioner clinics, corporate vaccination service providers and community health immunisation clinics may all participate in the Free Influenza Vaccine Program (the Program).
• In 2026, Fluzone is the influenza vaccine available to providers participating in the Program. Influenza vaccines ordered for this Program should not be administered to NIP-eligible people, and NIP vaccines should not be used for this Program. The table above shows the vaccine brands and the cohorts they are allocated to under the NIP and state programs.

Providers should prioritise vaccinating in the months prior to the peak influenza season, which typically spans from July to October in WA. Influenza vaccination should continue to be offered while the influenza virus remains in circulation, and a valid vaccine is available.

For a brief summary of general practice and hospital emergency department sentinel surveillance data on influenza-like illness, subscribe to Virus WAtch (a weekly electronic publication by CDCD and key collaborators).  For Australian Influenza Surveillance Reports, visit the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website (external site).

Optimal protection against influenza occurs within 3 to 4 months following vaccination. During the influenza season, look for opportunities to provide influenza vaccination to persons at increased risk of influenza during their routine medical care visits.

People vaccinated with the 2025 formulation influenza vaccine in late 2025 or early 2026 are also recommended to receive the 2026 formulation.

People planning to travel internationally should have the 2026 influenza vaccination at least 2 weeks prior to departure.

Influenza vaccine is recommended in every pregnancy, at any stage of pregnancy and can safely be co-administered with pertussis, RSV COVID-19 (if required) and other vaccines recommended in pregnancy.

• Providers are highly recommended to review the 2025 Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) Statement on the administration of seasonal influenza vaccines (external site).
• Providers can also see the 2025 NIP influenza vaccination program advice for health professionals (external site).
• The influenza module on Immunisation education has been updated for 2025. The module and registration link can be found by clicking teh 'WA Health modules and registration' button. Completion of the module is recommended for all immunisation providers and compulsory for those working under the CEO of Health SASA. The Immunisation education webpage also contains a link to the influenza update session.
• Influenza vaccine can be co-administered with most other vaccines (external site), including the COVID-19 vaccine.

It is a mandatory requirement for immunisation providers to report influenza vaccine administrations to the Australian Immunisation Register (external site). Providers must ensure the correct brand name, dose number and batch number. 

Refer to Immunisation provider information and resources webpage for more information.

AusVaxSafety (external site) conduct routine safety monitoring of seasonal influenza vaccines. Surveillance data are based on vaccine safety surveys sent in the days following influenza vaccination.

Rapid safety surveillance provides reassurance that influenza vaccines in Australia are safe. To learn more about the latest vaccine safety data, including specific age and population groups, visit AusVaxSafety (external site).

Refer to the Adverse events following immunisation webpage for information about reporting any adverse events following an influenza vaccine.