Influenza vaccination for children under 5

Influenza in kids can be serious. The influenza vaccine is safe, effective and free for children aged 6 months to under 5 years.

Influenza vaccination is free for those most at risk

Influenza in kids can be serious. The influenza vaccine is safe, effective and free for children aged 6 months to under 5 years.

Read more about the influenza vaccine

Protect your child by vaccinating against flu – Mia’s story

Influenza in kids can be serious. The influenza vaccine is safe, effective and free for children aged 6 months to under 5 years.

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Peter Wilkinson: Our daughter went from being happy and healthy to being critically ill on life support. Mia was suffering from sepsis – a complication of flu.

Dr Nicole White: Children, especially those under 5, can become seriously ill from influenza which can sometimes be fatal. The influenza vaccine is safe, effective, and free for children aged 6 months to under 5 years.

Peter Wilkinson: Mia survived and is now thriving.

Amy Wilkinson: But we’ll always wonder if Mia would have been okay, had she been vaccinated.

Dr Nicole White: Protect your child from influenza by vaccinating.

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.

Vaccination is the safest way to protect yourself and others from influenza viruses

The influenza vaccine has a great safety record. Common side effects from the influenza vaccine include mild pain, redness or swelling where the vaccine is given. These side effects usually last for a few days and go away without any treatment.

Find out more about vaccine safety in Australia 

Getting vaccinated

Children under nine years receiving their influenza vaccination for the first time require two doses of vaccine, spaced by a minimum of one month.

A mild illness is usually not a reason to reschedule a vaccination visit.

Learn more about getting vaccinated

Find out more about influenza vaccination

The following resources and web pages have more information about the influenza vaccine and children:

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra