Defend Yourself This Flu Season – Book Your Influenza Vaccination Today!

In Australia, it is recommended that  all people aged 6 months and older get a flu vaccination to reduce the risk of getting influenza and its complications.   Flu is more serious than a common cold with sufferers often restricted to their bed for up to a week or more and unable to work or care for loved ones. WholeLife Pharmacy & Healthfoods are offering flu vaccinations administered by one of our qualified pharmacists. . Book your flu vaccination at WholeLife today. Please note, minimum age restrictions as well as fees apply.

It’s never too late to get the flu vaccination. In recent years, the peak flu season has been between June and August. Although more prevalent in winter you can catch the flu all year round. Australian guidelines recommend that everyone over 6 months of age should receive the flu vaccination to protect themselves, but also to prevent passing on the flu to high-risk groups, including those over 65 and people with respiratory conditions such as asthma.

Who qualifies for free flu vaccination?

Please talk to our friendly WholeLife Pharmacy team about any questions or concern that you have about flu vaccination as it can be confusing.

Under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), the following groups are eligible to receive a government-funded flu vaccination:

  • children aged 6 months to under 5 years
  • adults aged 65 and over
  • specific population groups aged 5 through under 65 who are at increased risk of complications from influenza, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions

Great news! Some state governments are offering funded flu vaccinations, including the following*:

  • Queensland (until 30 September 2025)
  • Western Australia (01 May to 30 June 2025)

*subject to change if government initiative changes.

 

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Note – not all WholeLife Pharmacy & Healthfoods take online flu vaccination bookings. If you cannot find your preferred pharmacy on the online booking platform, use the Store Locator to make a booking by phone.

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Q&A

Are you sure I'm not too late to get my flu vaccination?

It’s never too late! Although peak flu season is between June and August, it’s possible to catch the flu all year round. Everyone aged 6 months and over can get the flu vaccination. If you are travelling overseas, consider their flu season is different than Australia. 

If I got a flu vaccination last year, do I need to get another one for this year?

Yes! The composition of the influenza vaccines is updated each year to ensure you are protected against the most prevalent virus strains seen in recent outbreaks around the world.  Receiving the flu vaccination protects not just yourself, but also your loved ones around you from getting the flu.  This is especially important if you have a loved one over 65 around you, or someone in a high-risk group.

I didn’t get a flu vaccine last year and I never got the flu. Why should I bother this year?

We understand that you may be reluctant, but vaccination remains the number one way to reduce your risk of contracting an infectious disease, like the flu. Many viruses, including influenza, are very clever and mutate and change their composition over time to protect themselves against things that destroy it.  The strength and power of the virus can differ from one year to the next, including how easily and quickly it can spread. Your exposure level can change from one year to the next so while you may not have been sick last year, it’s still worth getting a flu vaccination regardless.

Why did the vaccine make me feel like I got the flu?

Most people experience no side effects after the flu vaccination, but some may get some mild side-effects such as pain or redness near the injection site or muscle aches, sleepiness or even a low-grade fever. These may make you feel like you ‘caught’ the flu from the vaccine, but the vaccine does not contain live flu virus so it can’t cause the flu. These symptoms actually mean that the vaccine is working hard to build your immunity, and should resolve in a day or two.    Ask our WholeLife pharmacist if a fever medication is right for you to help manage these effects.

If you have concerns or experience a high fever, please consult your pharmacist or doctor.