Flu shot Frequently Asked Questions

The flu is caused by a respiratory virus and is a highly contagious infection of the airways and can cause serve illness, complications, hospitalisation and even death in some people. Babies, people over 65 and people with underlying health issues are most at risk.

The flu spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks, and can also spread via contaminated surfaces. Touching a surface with flu germs—whether from droplets or unwashed hands—then touching your mouth or nose can lead to infection.

Common signs of the flu are fever, body aches, headache, coughing and a sore throat.  These symptoms usually appear 5-7 days after contact and can last for a few weeks. Flu symptoms are generally more severe than the common cold.  

Learn more about flu symptoms.

It is estimated that each year the flu contributes to an average of 18,000 hospitalisations and more than 3,500 deaths among Australians. Within the community, the flu also leads to time off work to recover and care for ill family members, resulting in over 300,000 GP visits.¹

Having the flu vaccine helps protect yourself and those around you.

The flu vaccination is the most effective way for preventing and stopping the flu from spreading. The flu vaccine helps develop immunity which fight the flu virus. While no vaccine is 100% effective, it can:

• keep you from getting sick with the flu
• reduce the severity and complications of the flu if contracted
• be a good preventative measure for people with chronic health conditions
• reduce flu associated hospitalisations for all ages
• help protect women during and after pregnancy
• help protect those more vulnerable around you i.e. babies, older people and people with chronic health conditions

The flu vaccine won't protect against other infectious diseases like Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), but it may help to reduce the severity and spread of seasonal flu, which can lower a person's immunity and make them more susceptible to other illnesses.

No matter how healthy you are anyone can contract the flu and symptoms can range from mild to severe. It can cause normally healthy people who contract the virus to suffer symptoms like extreme exhaustion, high fever, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, cough with muscle and joint pain that can remain for weeks. Generally, people have to take time off work and household duties.

Even if you get a milder case of the flu, you can still pass it on to someone who may have one of those underlying conditions, and their experience of the virus may be much more debilitating.

The flu can also worsen underlying medical conditions such as heart conditions, asthma and respiratory conditions, diabetes, kidney disease, impaired immunity and neuromuscular disease, giving these people an even higher risk of complications from the flu which can lead to hospitalisation.

Each year the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AIVC) approves the use and composition of flu vaccines in Australia, as they vary from year to year.² Flu vaccines in Australia do not contain any live virus and stringent safety testing is conducted to ensure the new vaccine is safe for use. The person who vaccinates you will also check your suitability for a flu vaccination.

Flu viruses change each year, the vaccine is updated annually to match circulating strains and provide the best protection. Widespread vaccination also helps reduce the spread of the disease in the community.

The best time to vaccinate is in autumn, but the flu vaccine can be given at any time during the flu season while the vaccine is available. It is effective from 2 weeks post vaccination for approximately 4 months.

Health Partners is offering eligible members free flu shots at Health Partners participating pharmacies from 1 March 2025 to 31 August 2025. Pharmacies will start their clinics when they receive vaccine stock, which is usually mid to late March. You can book online in advance.

The flu vaccine is most effective within the first 3-4 months following vaccination. Waiting until the beginning of winter to get vaccinated may result in greater immunity later in the season, but may also result in missed opportunities for vaccination and lack of protection if the flu season starts early^3.

This is a common myth – no, the flu shot does not give you the flu. There is no live virus in the flu vaccines used in Australia. In rare cases, if someone is exposed to the flu virus just before having their vaccination, it may still develop as the vaccine takes about two weeks to develop full immunity.

People can receive the flu vaccine at the same time as, or separate to, most other vaccines, including diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (dTpa), RSV, pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccines. However, it’s important to check with your health care professional if this is right for you.³

No, the flu vaccine only acts against the influenza viruses.

The National Immunisation Program is an Australian Government initiative that offers free vaccinations under Medicare at different stages of life, or to certain members of the community. These include pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and those with specific health conditions, through authorised vaccinators. Visit SA Health or speak with your doctor to see if you are eligible.

Who is eligible under the National Immunisation Program?

• all children aged 6 months to <5 years
• all adults aged ≥65 years^
• all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (10+^)
• people who have certain medical conditions (see ATAGI Advice)⁴
• pregnant women during any stage of pregnancy^

If you fall into any of the above groups, please speak with your doctor as to what is the best way forward for vaccination for you or your family.

Like 2024, pharmacies in South Australia will be considered authorised NIP vaccinators for the flu vaccine, but to only highlighted (^) groups. This vaccine is free to these groups. Any administration fees, if charged by a Health Partners participating pharmacy to administer a NIP vaccine will not be covered under the Health Partners free flu vaccine program. We will not pay benefits for members who are eligible for government funded vaccines under the NIP.

Each year, Health Partners provides one free vaccine to eligible members. It is our way to help our members stay healthy during the period when the illness reaches its peak, during the winter months.

The Health Partners free flu shot program is only available at Health Partners participating pharmacies from 1 March 2025 until 31 August 2025. Find out more.

Book online or contact the pharmacy directly to make an appointment or ask about clinic times. Some may also accept people to walk in without an appointment, however there may be a wait depending on demand. Find your nearest pharmacy here.

Your current Health Partners membership card.

No, a prescription is not required.

No, a Medicare card is not required to receive the flu vaccination.

Specially trained pharmacists are able to administer flu vaccinations. Some pharmacies may also employ the services of a nurse or doctor to do the vaccinations.

The vaccination itself will be done before you know it, but it is recommended you wait nearby for about 15 minutes afterwards, so you can be monitored by pharmacy staff in the unlikely event of a reaction.

Most people will just experience some soreness around the injection site, but some will also experience a mild fever, tiredness or body aches⁷.

For any mild side effects that are experienced, they can often be reduced by:

• drinking extra fluids
• resting
• taking paracetamol as per the instructions on the packet

Depending on the severity, people with an egg allergy, including a history of anaphylaxis, can be safely vaccinated with the flu vaccine. We recommend that you chat to your pharmacist or GP to discuss your suitability.

Yes, all eligible Health Partners members with hospital or extras cover are entitled to the offer, whatever your level of cover, as long as you are up-to-date with your premium payments. There is a limit of one flu shot per member on your membership.

Yes, there are no waiting periods to access the free flu shot program. Health Partners members with hospital or extras cover are entitled to the offer, whatever your level of cover, as long as you are up-to-date with your premium payments. You also don’t have to see out your waiting periods to receive the free flu shot.

The Australian government funds the cost of vaccinations for people 65 and over and people at high risk of the flu via the NIP. If you fall into this category, you’re eligible to have a free, adjuvanted flu vaccination under the NIP at your local GP clinic or pharmacy if you do not have underlying medical conditions.

This vaccine has been formulated specially for this age group and is only available through the NIP. We recommend that people who are eligible for free flu vaccinations under NIP should discuss their requirements with their GP or pharmacist.

Health Partners free flu shot program is not available for members who are eligible under the NIP program.

Health Partners does not cover what the government already subsidises through Medicare and we are unable to cover any costs, service, consultation or administration fees if incurred when receiving NIP vaccines at GP clinics or pharmacies.

Children over the age of 5 are eligible for a Health Partners free flu shot. However, some pharmacies may choose not to vaccinate children. Please call your pharmacy to check what ages they are vaccinating. As an alternative, children can still be immunised through their doctor, some community health centres or local council immunisation clinics.

Check with your GP as to how they charge for your child’s flu vaccination^5.

Children aged between 6 months and 5 years can also receive the flu vaccination for free as part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Children aged between 5 and 10, if they are medically at risk, are also eligible for a free vaccination under the NIP. Please speak with your GP or pharmacist, or see the SA Health website for more information.

Based on World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations; the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AIVC) have recommended the following viruses for vaccines used in the 2025^6.

Egg-based influenza vaccines:

• an A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
• an A/Croatia/10136RV/2023 (H3N2)-like virus; and
• a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus;

Please refer to your GP or pharmacist for more information about what vaccine is best for your situation.

Health Partners does not cover any cell-based or high-dose vaccines as part of its free flu shot program, however if a prescription is written and taken to a pharmacy for dispensing it may be eligible for private script benefits. For more information refer to your Individual Cover Details.

If you need to access a flu vaccination outside of the Health Partners free flu program such as a cell-based vaccine or high dose vaccine your GP may give you a prescription. When this prescription is filled at a Health Partners participating pharmacy normal claiming rules apply.

To check if your script is eligible for claiming under your standard pharmacy benefits ask your pharmacist.

The flu vaccination may not be suitable for everyone. If any of the following apply to you, please contact your GP before getting the flu vaccination.

• Currently experiencing a with a fever of 38.5C or higher.
• Lowered immunity due to  a medical condition or medical treatment
• History of severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis following a previous dose of the vaccine in question, or to a component of the vaccine.
• History of Guillian Barré syndrome
• Bleeding disorders
• Severe chronic diseases
• Concerns or questions about the vaccination

^Offer applies to Extras and/or Hospital members. Member must be financial and waiting periods do not apply. Offer available during promotional period only (1 March – 31 August 2025) when stock becomes available. Limit 1 per eligible member, administered at Health Partners participating pharmacies. Covers egg-based influenza vaccine for eligible Health Partners members only. Cell based, high dose or boosted (adjuvanted) vaccines are not eligible for this offer. Only available at a Health Partners Participating Pharmacy that has elected to participate in this promotion. Pharmacies reserve the right to only vaccinate certain age ranges for clinical reasons. Pharmacists are unable to vaccinate children 5 and under for the flu vaccine. Clinic session days and times vary from store to store, with some pharmacies finishing their clinics prior to the 31 August promotion end date. Offer does not count towards annual pharmacy benefit limits. Health Partners is in no way involved in the management of pharmacy administered vaccinations. We will not pay benefits for members who are eligible for Government funded vaccines under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). If you are under 5 or over 65 years you are not covered by the Health Partners free flu shot program. Health Partners does not cover any NIP costs including administration, consultation or service fees that may be incurred if a NIP vaccine is administered in a pharmacy or doctor’s vaccination clinic. No benefits apply for boosters. Vaccination bookings available on a first come first served basis in the cases of high demand.