Book your 2026 influenza vaccine at Botanic Ridge Doctors. Free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for eligible patients including children aged 6 months to under 5 years (6 months – 4 years), pregnant women, anyone aged 65+, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and patients with chronic medical conditions. FluMist Nasal Spray — the needle-free option — is available for children aged 2 to under 18. Open 7 days. Walk-ins welcome.
Botanic Ridge Doctors is a bulk-billed family medical clinic with onsite Allied Health, located in Botanic Ridge Village. Our team includes experienced GPs, practice nurses, and a network of visiting specialists.
Standard GP consultations are bulk billed for all eligible Medicare patients. Walk-ins are accommodated where possible.
Influenza causes thousands of hospitalisations and hundreds of deaths in Australia every year. Annual vaccination is the single most effective protection — for you, your family, and the more vulnerable people in your community.
The 2026 quadrivalent influenza vaccine protects against four strains chosen by the World Health Organization based on global surveillance — two influenza A strains (including H1N1 and H3N2) and two influenza B strains. Because the flu virus mutates each year, last season's vaccine doesn't protect you this season. You need a fresh vaccine every year.
If you live with babies under 6 months (too young for their own vaccine), an elderly parent, or someone with a chronic condition, your vaccine helps protect them too — through "cocoon" immunity.
Even if the vaccine doesn't prevent the flu entirely, it dramatically reduces the chance of hospitalisation and serious complications.
The average flu episode keeps adults off work for 5–7 days. Vaccination dramatically reduces the chance of needing time off — and protects your colleagues.
Vaccinating during pregnancy passes protective antibodies to your baby, providing immunity for the first 6 months of life — when they're most vulnerable.
Under the Australian Government's National Immunisation Program (NIP), the flu vaccine is funded (free) for the following groups, who are at higher risk of complications from influenza. View the up-to-date NIP schedule on the Department of Health website.
| Eligibility group | Age range | Free under NIP? |
|---|---|---|
| Children | 6 months to under 5 years | FREE |
| Pregnant women | Any trimester | FREE |
| Older adults | 65 years and over | FREE |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people | 6 months and over | FREE |
| People with chronic medical conditions | 6 months and over | FREE |
| Everyone else | 6 months and over | Private fee |
If you live with any of the following, you're eligible for a free flu vaccine under the NIP:
| Age group | NIP-funded vaccine | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months – <5 years | Vaxigrip Tetra / FluQuadri | Injection |
| 5 – <65 years | FluQuadri / Vaxigrip Tetra / Afluria Quad | Injection |
| 65 years and over | Fluad (adjuvanted) / Fluzone HD (high-dose) | Injection — enhanced |
| 2 – <18 years (eligible) | FluMist Quadrivalent | Nasal spray |
FluMist Quadrivalent is a nasal spray flu vaccine — a quick mist into each nostril, with no needle. It's a brilliant option for needle-shy children, kids who've had bad experiences with injections, or families who simply prefer a less stressful vaccination experience.
FluMist is licensed for healthy children and adolescents aged 2 to under 18 years. It's not for adults, and not for younger toddlers or infants.
The vaccine is a fine mist sprayed into each nostril — about 0.1ml each side. Most children find it surprising rather than unpleasant. The whole process takes about 10 seconds.
FluMist contains weakened (attenuated) live flu virus. The body mounts a strong, broad immune response — including in the nose, where flu enters. It cannot cause the actual flu.
Because FluMist is a live vaccine, it's not suitable for some children. The injection is recommended instead for:
In Victoria, flu season usually peaks between June and September. Aim to be vaccinated between April and June — early enough that you're protected before the surge, but not so early that protection wanes mid-season.
Book a flu vaccine appointment via HotDoc in 30 seconds, or walk in during clinic hours.
Our practice nurse will confirm your eligibility under the NIP, check for contraindications, and answer any questions.
Injection into your upper arm — or, for kids, a quick FluMist nasal spray. The needle is fine; most adults barely feel it.
You'll wait briefly in our waiting room so we can check you're feeling well before you head off.
Your vaccine is automatically recorded in the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) — accessible via myGov, your GP, and your pharmacist.
The flu vaccine is one of the most studied vaccines on Earth, given to hundreds of millions of people each year. The vast majority of side effects are mild and short-lived.
The flu vaccine cannot give you the flu. The injection contains inactivated (killed) virus, and FluMist contains weakened virus that cannot cause the actual illness.
No. The injectable flu vaccine contains inactivated (killed) virus and cannot cause influenza. FluMist contains weakened live virus that is not capable of causing flu. If you feel a bit unwell after the vaccine, that's your immune system responding — it usually settles in 24–48 hours.
Yes. Annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over. Children under 9 receiving their first flu vaccine need two doses at least 4 weeks apart in their first season; one dose every year after that.
Yes — the flu virus changes each season, and immunity from last year's vaccine wanes. The 2026 vaccine is reformulated against the strains forecast to circulate. You need a fresh vaccine every year.
Yes. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be safely co-administered. Either in the same arm (different sites) or one in each arm. Just let our nurse know if you'd like both.
Yes — and it's actively recommended and free under the NIP. The injection is safe in any trimester. Vaccination during pregnancy passes protective antibodies to your baby, who can't have their own flu vaccine until 6 months old.
Most flu vaccines are produced using eggs. Mild egg allergy (no anaphylaxis history) is no longer considered a contraindication. If you have severe egg allergy or anaphylaxis history, talk to your GP — egg-free options are available, and we may recommend supervised vaccination.
People aged 65+ have a less robust immune response to standard vaccines. The NIP funds enhanced vaccines for this age group — Fluad (adjuvanted, with an immune booster) or Fluzone HD (high-dose). Both produce stronger immune responses and better protection in older adults. We use whichever is currently in stock.
If you're not in an NIP-funded group, the flu vaccine attracts a private fee — please confirm current pricing with reception when booking. The standard GP/nurse consultation itself is bulk billed for eligible Medicare patients.
Bulk-billed consultations for eligible Medicare patients. Some procedures may attract a private fee — please contact reception to confirm costs at booking. Open 7 days, walk-ins accommodated where possible.
Important: The information on this page is general health information only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice from a qualified health practitioner. Outcomes vary between individuals — your GP will assess your specific situation and recommend the right approach for you. If you have urgent symptoms, please call 000 or attend your nearest emergency department.
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