You can protect yourself and those around you by getting vaccinated against the flu. The flu can cause serious illness and spreads very easily and quickly between people.
Those who are aged 65 years and older or those who suffer from cardiac disease, diabetes, chronic kidney or lung disease, or other respiratory conditions are eligible to receive a free flu vaccination.
In 2024, South Australia recorded 2,164 hospitalisations from flu, an increase of more than 31% from the previous year. Older people have a higher risk of hospitalisation from the flu than other cohorts, so it is recommended that you get vaccinated.
The vaccine is updated each year to protect against the new strains of the flu virus. Now is the best time to receive your vaccination to have protection during the seasonal peak from June to September.
Free flu vaccinations are also available to other high-risk people in South Australia, including:
- pregnant women
- people six months of age or older with underlying chronic medical conditions
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and older
- all children aged 6 months to less than 5 years
- people experiencing homelessness.
The free flu vaccine is available through participating GPs and pharmacies, local councils, community health centres and Aboriginal health centres.
For more information visit sahealth.sa.gov.au/flu.