Who is eligible for free influenza vaccine through the National Influenza Vaccine Program for Older Australians?
All Australians aged 65 years or over are eligible to receive free influenza vaccine. Why is influenza vaccination recommended for older people? Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for people aged 65 years or over because of their greatly increased risk of death or complications from influenza. For most healthy adults, influenza resolves in a few days without any complications. However, in some people, especially those aged 65 years or over and people with some chronic medical conditions, complications can occur from influenza, such as pneumonia followed by hospitalisation, and even death. Vaccinating people at risk is the most important measure to prevent or reduce influenza infection and prevent deaths. What arrangements have been made for older members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities? The Australian Government (through the National Indigenous Pneumococcal and Influenza Immunisation Program) provides free influenza and pneumococcal vaccine for indigenous
