Influenza Information

• Influenza or 'the flu' is a highly contagious disease that can be spread through coughing, sneezing and close proximity
• Influenza is caused by a virus and is a serious illness especially in vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those with a chronic disease
• Annual vaccination is the most effective way to prevent getting the flu
• 10 per cent of all workplace absenteeism associated with illness is due to influenza.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have both the COVID-19 & Influenza Vaccines?
Advice from Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is that the preferred minimum interval between administration of either the Pfizer/BioNTech or the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines and any influenza vaccine is 14 days. This is the current precautionary advice.

Is the flu a serious disease?
YES.  The flu is a highly contagious and potentially life-threatening disease. It is not the same as the 
common cold and has the potential to take up to a number of weeks to recover.

Can receiving the flu shot give me the flu?
NO. The flu vaccine cannot give you the flu as it is not a live vaccine.

If I am young and healthy, do I need to be vaccinated?
YES.  Being fit and healthy does not prevent you from catching the flu.