The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has published advice on seasonal influenza vaccines for 2025. Annual vaccination is recommended for all people six months of age and older, and is particularly important for those at increased risk of severe illness. Protection from an influenza vaccine is expected to last throughout the year. However, optimal protection occurs in the three to four months after vaccination.

The National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides free influenza vaccines to the following high-risk groups:

  • Children aged six months to less than five years;
  • All adults aged 65 years or older; and
  • The following populations of people aged 5 years up to 65 years due to an increased risk of severe influenza
    • All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
    • People with certain medical conditions (e.g. certain cardiac, respiratory, neurological, immunocompromising, metabolic, renal, and haematological conditions; and children aged 5-10 years on long-term aspirin therapy)
    • Pregnant women (at any stage during pregnancy).

People 65 years of age and older are at higher risk of developing severe influenza. However, the effectiveness of influenza vaccines is reduced in this age group. Two higher-immunogenicity influenza vaccines are available and are preferred over standard vaccines in this population. Fluad® Quad contains an adjuvant to increase immunogenicity, while Fluzone® High-Dose Quad is a higher strength, containing 240mcg influenza virus haemagglutinin in 0.7mL (compared to 60mcg in 0.5mL for the standard dose vaccines). Both of these vaccines are equally preferred for people 65 years of age and older, although only the adjuvanted vaccine is funded on the NIP in this age group.

Table 1 shows the influenza vaccines and their registered age groups for the 2025 season.

Table 1. 2025 influenza vaccines by age group

Age group Vaxigrip Tetra Flucelvax Quad FluQuadri Afluria Quad Influvac Tetra Fluad Quad Fluzone High-Dose
6 months to <5 years Yes^ Yes Yes^ No Yes No No
5 to <60 years Yes* Yes* Yes Yes Yes No No
60 to < 65 years Yes* Yes* Yes Yes Yes No Yes
≥ 65 years Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes^ Yes

^ Available under the NIP

* Available under the NIP only for the populations listed as being at an increased risk of severe influenza

References:

  1. Australian Government. Influenza (flu). In: Australian Immunisation Handbook. Canberra: Department of Health and Aged Care; 2025.
  2. Australian Government. Statement on the Administration of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines in 2025. Canberra: Department of Health; 2025.
  3. Quach HQ, Kennedy RB. Enhancing immunogenicity of influenza vaccine in the elderly through intradermal vaccination: a literature analysis. Viruses 2022; 14(11): 2438.

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