Flu Vaccine Clinic Update 2022

The 2022 flu vaccine has arrived at Clinicare Smith St & Clinicare North Fitzroy! The yearly flu vaccine is recommended for people aged 6 months and over.

Flu Vaccine for 2022

The following groups are eligible for a free flu vaccine under the National Immunisation Program:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over

  • Children aged 6 months to under 5 years

  • Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy

  • People aged 65 years or over.

  • People aged 6 months or over who have medical conditions that mean they have a higher risk of getting the serious disease:

    • cardiac disease

    • chronic respiratory conditions

    • chronic neurological conditions

    • immunocompromising conditions

    • diabetes and other metabolic disorders

    • renal disease

    • haematological disorders

    • children aged six months to 10 years on long term aspirin therapy

The flu vaccine is $20 for those who are not eligible for a government-funded flu vaccine.

Children under nine years who receive their flu vaccine for the first time need two doses of the vaccine administered a minimum of one month apart.

How do I book?

To book your flu vaccine, you can book online via HotDoc or give us a call. For online bookings, please click “book online” and select appointment type “Flu Vaccine 2022”. Your appointment will be booked with one of our nurses.

Go to our Booking page and click Book Appointment.

When should I get the flu shot?

·         Yearly flu shots should be administered from April onwards in order to protect against the peak of the flu season between June and September.

·         Annual influenza vaccine should occur anytime from April onwards to be protected for the peak flu season, which is generally June to September. The highest level of protection occurs in the first 3 to 4 months following vaccination.

·         Pregnant people should receive their flu vaccine at any stage of pregnancy.

·         Flu vaccines can now be given at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine

Possible side effects of the flu vaccine

After your flu shot, you may experience some minor side effects. Most flu vaccine side effects are minor and last no more than a couple of days.

Common side effects of the flu shot include:

  • pain, redness, swelling or hardness where the needle went in

  • fever, tiredness, body aches.

Please speak to our doctors or nurses if you have any concerns about flu vaccine side effects.

Please see the following link for a full list of the side effects and ingredients of the flu shot: TGA Influenza Vaccine Information

Allergy Information

·         The flu shot contains only minute traces of egg protein so can be safely given to those with an egg allergy, including those with a history of anaphylaxis. Please discuss the flu vaccine with one of our doctors if you have an egg allergy.

·         If you have experienced anaphylaxis after a previous flu shot you should not receive the vaccine.