Flu vaccine information

The difference between the flu and a bad cold

Influenza (often called ‘the flu’) can be much worse than a bad cold. 

Every year in Australia, hundreds of children get so sick from influenza they need to be treated in hospital. Most of them are babies and children under five years. Vaccination reduces the risk of your child and family getting really sick this winter.

Flu vaccination clinics

We vaccinate:

  • Children over six months, young people, and their families and carers up to 65.
  • All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (aged six months and over)

Clinic details

  • Clinics are operated by the Outpatients Departments at Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, and The Children's Hospital at Westmead
  • The clinics are open from 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays).
  • Bookings are essential. This is not a drop-in clinic.

The clinics also offer COVID-19 vaccinations and any catch-up vaccinations required under the National Immunisation Program Schedule, to eligible patients and their families.
For more information, contact the outpatient department at CHW or SCH.

Need-to-know

  • Hospital inpatients will be offered a free influenza vaccination in their ward - parents/carers are advised to check with their child’s medical team.

The importance of immunisation

An influenza vaccine is the best way to protect your child from serious influenza. Children and babies six months or older need an influenza vaccine every year.

The best time to get an influenza vaccine is in April or May, before the influenza season, usually from June to September.
 
An annual flu shot gives the best protection. You need to get a vaccination annually because the protection provided by the flu shot decreases after a few months.

Each year the influenza virus strains can change, and a new seasonal flu shot is developed, which protects against the flu types expected to be the most common that flu season.
 
By getting an influenza vaccine, your child will be less likely to get influenza and less likely to get the serious conditions that influenza can cause, like severe lung infections (pneumonia) or swelling in the brain (encephalitis).

Vaccine information

Children aged six months and over are eligible for a free flu vaccine, though some providers may charge an administration or consultation fee. 

Protect your family and get vaccinated today — speak to your GP, pharmacist, Aboriginal healthcare worker, or Aboriginal Medical Service today.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 is still circulating in the community. If your child is five years and over, they are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines are also free for all Aboriginal people who are eligible. Speak to your doctor, pharmacist, Aboriginal healthcare worker or Aboriginal Medical Service today.