Winter bugs are certainly making the rounds, so now’s the perfect time to make sure you and your family are up to date with your vaccinations. A few important reminders…
Flu and COVID-19
If you haven’t had your seasonal flu vaccine or are due for a COVID-19 booster, don’t put it off. Both viruses are circulating widely this winter, and vaccination remains the best way to reduce your risk of serious illness.
Needle-free flu vaccine for kids
If the thought of needles puts your child off having their flu vaccine, ask us about FluMist®—a simple nasal spray flu vaccine for children aged 2 years and over. It’s quick, needle-free and can make flu vaccination much less stressful. Young children are at the highest risk of becoming seriously unwell with influenza, but older children can also develop severe complications. Better still, vaccinating school-aged children helps reduce the spread of flu to parents, grandparents and other family members.
Don’t forget meningococcal B
Teenagers have one of the highest rates of meningococcal carriage, yet the MenB vaccine is often overlooked. While thankfully uncommon, meningococcal disease can become life-threatening very quickly. If your teen hasn’t had this vaccine, it’s worth chatting with your GP. Note that the meningococcal vaccine given at school in Year 10 is for the strains ACWY, not B.
New pneumococcal vaccine now free from age 65
Good news for older Australians! From 1 July 2026, a new pneumococcal vaccine that protects against more strains of the bacteria will be fully funded for all adults aged 65 years and over (the eligibility age has been lowered from 70). Pneumococcal disease can cause serious infections including pneumonia, bloodstream infections and meningitis, so this expanded protection is well worth taking advantage of.
RSV vaccine now free for over 75s
In more good news, from 15 May 2026 the RSV vaccine is now fully funded through the National Immunisation Program for everyone aged 75 years and over. RSV isn’t just a childhood illness—it can cause severe lung infections and hospitalisation in older adults, so this is an important new addition to winter protection.
Not sure what you’re due for? Book an appointment for a chat about how you can stay protected this winter.
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