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Your guide to the annual influenza shot
What is influenza?
Influenza, or the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness. It’s caused by an infection from an influenza virus. There are two main types of influenza viruses that cause infection in humans. These are type A and type B.
According to the 2024 Annual Australian Respiratory Surveillance Report, there was a record-breaking 365,589 influenza cases reported to the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS) last year. From January to March 2025, there were 46,300 confirmed influenza cases across Australia – an increase from the same time last year – with 84 flu-related deaths also recorded during this period.
While the influenza can usually be prevented with an annual vaccination, vaccination rates have been steadily declining in recent years among groups with an increased risk of complications, including those over 65.
Influenza viruses are generally spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing. You could also contract the flu by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your mouth or nose.
Symptoms of the flu
Symptoms of the flu can include:
- fever or chills
- dry, chesty cough
- headache
- tiredness
- aching muscles or joint pain
- sore throat and a runny or blocked nose
- loss of appetite and more.
Babies and children under five years, adults aged 65 years and older, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, pregnant women and people who have certain medical conditions are at a higher risk of developing complications than others.
What’s the difference between a cold and the flu?
Colds and flus have some common symptoms including coughing, headaches or sore throat, and both conditions are caused by viruses. However, when you have the flu, you’re more likely to experience body aches and pains, extreme exhaustion, a fever and vomiting or diarrhoea.
Healthdirect Australia has a handy infographic comparing the difference between a cold and the flu.
Getting the flu shot
The flu vaccination is one of the best ways to protect yourself against the flu. It also helps to protect those around you who are unable to get the vaccination (like babies aged less than six months). The more people who are vaccinated in your community, the less likely the disease will spread.
Flu season in Australia usually runs from June to September. The best time to get vaccinated is April onwards, so that your body has time to develop immunity.
The Australian Department of Health recommends that everyone who is older than six months should get the flu vaccine every year. The reason re-vaccination is recommend each year is because the flu viruses in the community continually change and the immunity from the vaccine doesn’t last a long time.
The flu vaccine is free for some people through the National Immunisation Program Schedule, but you may still have to pay for the consultation with a healthcare provider.
Other ways to prevent the spread of the flu
Good hygiene
Wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. You should do this after touching anything that might contaminate your hands and before touching food or anything that needs to stay clean.
An alcohol-based hand rub (hand sanitiser) is a good way to clean your hands if you don’t have access to soap and water.
Use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Put the tissues into the bin immediately.
Avoid sharing cups, plates, cutlery or towels.
Regular cleaning
Keep commonly used surfaces clean, such as your keyboard, phone and door handles.
Boosting your immunity
Getting enough sleep and incorporating a nutrient-rich diet can help to boost your immune system.
Staying at home if you’re sick
If you have the flu, it’s best to avoid close contact with people to stop them from also becoming sick. This is especially important if they have a compromised immune system.
What about COVID?
The COVID-19 coronavirus also causes respiratory illness with some similar symptoms to the flu, but there are important differences. You can find out more about the symptoms of COVID-19 at the Department of Health.
All information contained in this article is intended for general information purposes only. The information provided should not be relied upon as medical advice and does not supersede or replace a consultation with a suitably qualified healthcare professional.
Sources
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/influenza_factsheet.aspx
https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/deaths-due-covid-19-influenza-and-rsv-australia-2023-march-2025
https://www.health.gov.au/diseases/influenza-flu
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/flu
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/flu-influenza-immunisation
https://www.health.gov.au/health-alerts/covid-19
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/cold-or-flu-infographic
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hand-washing
https://www.cbhs.com.au/mind-and-body/sleep-and-fatigue
https://www.cbhs.com.au/mind-and-body/blog/7-immune-boosting-foods-to-include-in-your-diet