Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads easily from person to person through coughing,
sneezing and close contact.
Unlike a cold, symptoms such as fever, sore throat and muscle aches develop suddenly with flu and last about a
week. In some cases, severe illness and complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis can develop, which can
result in hospitalisation and even death. The flu can also make some existing medical conditions worse.
The flu virus can be especially dangerous for elderly people, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people and very young children, as well as for people with underlying medical conditions and some
chronic diseases.
Patients eligible for the funded influenza vaccine:
• All children aged between 6 months and < 5 years
• Everyone 65 years of age and over
• All pregnant women at any time during pregnancy
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who are 6 months to <5years
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over
• Persons aged 6 months and older with medical conditions that are predisposed to severe
influenza and are eligible for funded influenza vaccination
Please call the surgery to book an appointment.
