Influenza & RSV vaccination

All Queensland residents over the age of 6 months can access the influenza vaccine for free in 2024.

Funded by the Queensland government, the 2024 Free Influenza Vaccination Program will commence simultaneously with the 2024 National Immunisation Program (NIP) influenza vaccine rollout. In keeping with the Queensland Government's commitment, no Queensland resident should be turned away, or charged for receiving their influenza vaccination.

Eligibility

There are no changes for people already eligible for free influenza vaccine under the NIP. Providers should continue to administer the NIP vaccines for NIP-eligible cohorts. Providers will continue to receive NIP funded influenza vaccines directly from the Queensland Health Immunisation Program (QHIP). Registration with QHIP is a governance requirement for access to NIP vaccines. 

For NIP eligible people, vaccine service providers should continue to administer the NIP vaccines received directly from QHIP. For people not eligible for NIP, vaccine service providers should continue to administer the influenza vaccine from their privately purchased stock. 

Reimbursement

There will be a fixed rate reimbursement fee of $25 for each privately purchased and administered influenza vaccine and a vaccine administration reimbursement fee of $18.85 available to vaccine providers during the life of the program. If you choose to claim for this reimbursement, you will not be eligible to charge the patient a fee for administration, or for the vaccine dose. This applies to both privately purchased and NIP funded influenza vaccines.

Submissions for reimbursement should be made no more frequently than fortnightly. Submissions will close on 30 September 2024 and requests received after this date will not be paid.

For further information, please email immunisation@health.qld.gov.au or visit the website.

2024 Influenza vaccines

For the 2024 season, Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine (QIVs) are the only vaccines available in Australia. 

Cell based vaccines 

Flucelvax Quad® a cell-based vaccine, is NIP funded for people aged 5 - 64 years with medical conditions, increasing their risk of complications from influenza. There is no preferential recommendation between Flucelvax Quad® and standard dose of egg-based influenza vaccines. 

Vaccination timing 

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended from April onwards for protection during the peak season. This is typically June to September in most parts of Australia. Vaccination should continue as long as influenza viruses are circulating, and a valid vaccine is available. 

Special considerations include: 

• Young children aged 6 months to less than 9 years. Children should receive 2 doses of influenza vaccine given at least 4 weeks apart in the first year they receive the vaccine 
• Pregnant women are recommended to receive the vaccine at any stage during pregnancy
• People travelling to destinations where influenza is circulating. This can be year-round in the tropics

For patients who received a 2023 influenza vaccine in late 2023 or early 2024, it is still recommended they receive a 2024 vaccine when they become available.