Flu Vaccinations
Influenza is most prevalent in Australia between April and October each year, and is a highly contagious respiratory illness that typically presents with any or all of the below symptoms:
- Sneezing
- Sore Throat
- Headache
- Body aches and pains
- Chest discomfort / cough
- Exhaustion, fatigue and/or weakness
- Fever

Why get the 2022 Flu Vaccine?
Every year getting the flu vaccine is important. However, this flu season it’ll be even more important to remain hygiene vigilant and get vaccinated, due to open borders and the complications of contracting COVID-19 and the flu. Vaccinating against this season’s influenza will help reduce the risk of contracting a double-up of both influenza and COVID-19 – both of which affect the respiratory system.
An annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all Australians aged 6 months and older as the vaccine changes from year to year to account for new strains. The Australian Influenzas Vaccine Committee (AVIC) has recommended the following viruses be included for the 2022 southern hemisphere influenza season, with the inclusion of two new virus strains (1):
Egg-based quadrivalent influenza vaccines:
- an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus;
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021-like (B/Victoria lineage) virus; and
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like (B/Yamagata lineage) virus.
Cell- or recombinant-based quadrivalent influenza vaccines:
- an A/Wisconsin/588/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2)-like virus;
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus; and
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
Is it safe?
Yes – all vaccines in Australia are registered with the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) and have to meet certain standards before being approved as safe and effective by the TGA.
What is the cost of getting the 2022 Flu Vaccine?
According to the Australian Government Department of Health, the following individuals are at most risk of complications from influenza, and are subsequently eligible to receive a free annual vaccine under the annual National Immunisation Program (2):
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
- Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
- People aged 6 months or over who have a medical condition that means they have a higher risk of getting serious disease (e.g. those with heart disease, lung disease and/or respiratory complications, diabetes etc.)
- Pregnant women (at any stage of pregnancy)
- People aged 65 years and over.
For all other patients, there is a $20 charge for the vaccine, however with a valid Medicare card, the consultation fee is bulk billed, when booked as a flu vaccination appointment or through our flu clinic.
To book a flu vaccination for yourself and your family please contact our reception team on 07 3286 6899 or book an appointment online. And if you’re a local business looking for a corporate flu vaccination program, please contact our Practice Manager by calling reception or emailing pm@clevelandmedical.com.au so the individual needs of your organisation can be discussed and quoted.
(1)
Australian Government Department of Health – Therapeutic Goods Administration 2021. AIVC recommendations for the composition of influenza vaccine for Australia in 2022.
(2) Australian Government Department of Health 2022. Influenza (flu) immunisation service.







