Influenza for Parents with Children Under 5
Find out how to best protect your child this flu season below.
Why flu vaccination matters for young children
Influenza, also known as the flu, is more than just a bad cold. It is a serious illness that can lead to hospitalisation and complications, even in healthy children1.
In 2024 alone, there were 48,929 laboratory confirmed flu cases in children under 5 years2. This represented 13% of all cases in Australia. The actual number of infections could be much higher than the record breaking 365,602 reported.
The good news is that the flu is the most common vaccine-preventable disease in Australia1.
But, in 2024 only 25.8% of children under 5 years received the influenza vaccine3. This number is rapidly declining, leaving many vulnerable children susceptible to catching the flu.
Annual flu vaccination is the best protection
Doctors recommend that all children aged 6 months to under 5 years receive the flu vaccination from April every year, which protects children throughout the entire flu season.
Influenza is the only virus that is recommended as an annual vaccination. This is because the virus strain changes each year and the new vaccine is manufactured to provide the best protection against that strain.
The flu vaccine is also FREE for children under 5 years through the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
Key benefits of the flu vaccine
It is FREE, as part of the Childhood Immunisation Program
Influenza vaccination is part of the government’s Childhood Immunisation Program and is especially recommended for children aged 6 months to under 5 years.
Australia aims for 95% of children to receive all vaccines under the NIP Schedule. All of the immunisations are scheduled according to your child’s age and medical risk.
Prevents severe illness and hospitalisation
If your child catches the influenza virus, it can cause serious complications and if the symptoms are severe, your child may need to be admitted to hospital.
In Australia, older people and children under 5 years of age have the highest rate of influenza hospitalisation4. This is the case for all children under 5, not just those with pre-existing medical conditions5.
Reduces severity of symptoms
Vaccination does not stop your child catching the flu but it significantly reduces the symptoms and effects of the flu.
For the vaccine to become fully effective, there is a 2-3 week lag after vaccination occurs.
About the vaccine
Under the NIP for children aged 6 months to <5 years, the following vaccine is available through your GP.
There are other vaccines but VaxiGrip Tetra is specific for children 6 months to 5 years (unless there is a government-recommended substitute due to stock shortages) on the NIP.
None of the influenza vaccines available in Australia contain a live virus and therefore cannot cause the flu7.
When & where to vaccinate
Timing
From April through to June is the best time to vaccinate as this is during the early stages of the flu season. However, it is never too late to get vaccinated8.
Locations
GP clinics
Cost
FREE for children under 5 years as part of the NIP
Other ways to protect your child
Alongside vaccination, you can further protect your child by:
- Encouraging handwashing
- Keeping children home if they’re unwell
- Using masks in high-risk settings
Help us improve flu vaccine education
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References
- Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). Influenza (flu) [Internet]. In: Australian Immunisation Handbook. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care; 2023 [cited 2025 Feb 27]. Available from: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/contents/vaccine-preventable-diseases/influenza-flu#why
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. National Immunisation Data Surveillance System (NINDSS) Publicly Available Immunisation Data [Internet]. Canberra: Australian Government; 2025 [cited 2025 Feb 27]. Available from: https://nindss.health.gov.au/pbi-dashboard/
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS). Influenza vaccination coverage data: all people 2020–2024 YTD [Internet]. Sydney: NCIRS; 2024 [cited 2025 Feb 27]. Available from: https://ncirs.org.au/influenza-vaccination-coverage-data/all-people-2020-2024-ytd
- Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). Influenza in Australia [Internet]. In: Australian Immunisation Handbook. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care; 2023 [cited 2025 Feb 27]. Available from: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/contents/vaccine-preventable-diseases/influenza-flu#influenza-in-australia
- Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). Infants and children [Internet]. In: Australian Immunisation Handbook. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care; 2023 [cited 2025 Feb 27]. Available from: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/contents/vaccine-preventable-diseases/influenza-flu#infants-and-children
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Influenza (flu) vaccine [Internet]. Canberra: Australian Government; 2024 [cited 2025 Feb 27]. Available from: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/vaccines/influenza-flu-vaccine
- Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). Adverse events [Internet]. In: Australian Immunisation Handbook. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care; 2023 [cited 2025 Feb 27]. Available from: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/contents/vaccine-preventable-diseases/influenza-flu#adverse-events
- Victoria State Government – Department of Health. Seasonal influenza vaccine [Internet]. Melbourne: Victorian Government; 2024 [cited 2025 Feb 27]. Available from: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation/seasonal-influenza-vaccine
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