Flu Update 2023
2023 private flu vaccines ($25) are available. This year, a spike in influenza is expected early.
Bookings are available online. We have a large express flu clinic at Crace on Saturday afternoon.
What is in the 2023 vaccine?
Vaccines are quadrivalent, covering two influenza A and two influenza B strains expected to be circulating in 2023:
- A/Sydney/5/2021 (H1N1) – a new strain
- A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus.
- B/Austria/1359417/2021-like (B/Victoria lineage) virus.
- B/Phuket/3073/2013-like (B/Yamagata lineage) virus.
Government flu vaccines are not yet available to book. We will include information in our following post.
While protection is generally expected to last throughout the year, the highest level of protection occurs in the first 3 to 4 months after vaccination. A frequent request received is to have a second flu vaccine 3-4 months following the first. While this is not officially recommended, we will provide this second vaccine. However, if you are eligible for a government-funded vaccine, you can only receive one government-funded vaccine in a year. You will need to pay for the other privately.
Book here Crace, Denman, Lyneham.
If you are due for a Covid booster, you can receive a booster with your flu vaccine.
New information about Covid vaccine boosters.
We have the newest Pfizer bivalent 4/5 booster vaccine, which arrived in Australia in mid-March.
For those aged 18+ years.
Eligibility is no longer about the number of vaccines you have received.
You are eligible for a booster if your last COVID-19 vaccine or infection (whichever is the most recent) was 6 months ago or longer. If you have had a recent Covid infection, mark in your diary six months later that you are due for your booster.
For those aged 16 – 17 years.
It is still about the number, a total of three.
Two primary doses plus one booster (now preferably the Moderna or Pfizer bivalent 4/5 booster). Many in this age group have not had their booster; it is over a year since their last vaccine. Get your booster!
Ages 5-17 years who are at risk of severe Covid:
ATAGI advises that those with medical comorbidities that increase their risk of severe COVID-19, or disability with significant or complex health needs, should consider a 2023 booster dose if their last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection (whichever is the most recent) was 6 months ago or longer, regardless of the number of prior doses received. This should be based on a risk-benefit assessment with the immunisation provider and preferably with input from your GP.
For the following age groups, please request the following COVID booster vaccinations.
For those aged 5-11 years, a paediatric Pfizer Covid vaccine.
For those aged 12 – 17 years, Pfizer or Moderna bivalent 4/5 booster vaccine.