Flu
vaccinations
available now
$21.99 Members
$24.99 Retail
You may also choose to receive your Flu Vaccination
and COVID-19 Vaccination during the same appointment.
FREE* Vaccinations for children with a family membership
Children aged 5 years to 17 years on a National Pharmacies Family membership are eligible to receive a FREE* flu vaccination when accompanying an adult on the same Family membership who also receives a flu vaccination at National Pharmacies.
- Selected pharmacies only.
- Offer is limited to two free children’s flu vaccinations per membership.
- Additional accompanying children on the same Family membership will be able to access a flu vaccination at 50% off member price.
- Terms and conditions and eligibility criteria apply.
FREE Vaccinations under the National Immunisation Program
At National Pharmacies, we offer a wide range of free vaccination services under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
You may be eligible if you are:
- Over 65 years of age
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander aged 5 years and over
- Pregnant
- Over 5 years of age with certain conditions that increase your risk of serious disease
If you have any questions about your eligibility, speak to one of our friendly team members at your local National Pharmacies.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the flu?
Flu (influenza) is caused by a virus which is spread through the air by fluids produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or by direct contact with these fluids on surfaces or objects. The flu virus is highly contagious, and symptoms are usually experienced 5 to 7 days after contact. Flu symptoms, which can last for weeks, are more severe than those associated with the common cold and include high fever, muscular aches and pains, headache, coughing and sore throat. Flu can affect anyone but is especially serious for babies, young children, pregnant women, people with underlying medical conditions and older people. It is estimated that each year, flu contributes to an average of 13,500 hospitalisations and 1,000 deaths among Australians aged over 50 years.
2. Why should I have the flu vaccine?
Vaccination is the best defence against the flu. The flu vaccine stimulates the body to make antibodies, which fight the influenza virus. If you have been vaccinated, when you come into contact with the influenza virus, your body is better prepared to quickly destroy the virus, which helps to prevent you from getting the flu. If you are unlucky enough to still get the flu, the vaccine reduces the severity of the virus. The flu can also worsen underlying medical conditions such as heart conditions, asthma and respiratory conditions, diabetes, kidney disease, impaired immunity and neuromuscular disease, giving these people an even higher risk of complications from the flu.
Being fit and healthy does not protect you from the flu and it is still recommended that you get a flu vaccination.
3. Who can / cannot have the flu vaccine?
National Pharmacies is offering the flu vaccination service for people aged 5 years* and older.
*Two doses of vaccine at least one month apart are recommended for children aged less than 9 years when getting influenza vaccine for the first time, to improve their immune response. If a child only received one influenza vaccine in their first year, they only require one each subsequent year.
There are some people that the flu vaccination may not be suitable for. If you fall into one of the categories below, please contact your GP prior to receiving the flu vaccination.
- Patients who currently have an illness resulting in a fever greater than or equal to 38.5oC
- People who have had a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis following a previous dose of the vaccine in question, or to a component of the vaccine.
- Patient with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome
It is important that before receiving the vaccine you make sure to tell your immuniser if you (or your child):
- Are unwell (have a temperature over 38.5˚C)
- Have allergies to any other medications or substances
- Have had a serious reaction to any vaccine
- Have had a serious reaction to any component of the vaccine
- Have had a severe allergy to anything
- Have had a severe allergic reaction to eggs – the virus used in the vaccine is grown in egg.
- Are under six months of age
- Have had Guillain-Barré syndrome
If you have any concerns at all as to whether the flu vaccine is right for you, please speak with your Pharmacist Immuniser before receiving the flu vaccine.
4. I have heard that the flu vaccine can give you the flu, is that true?
No, flu vaccines do not contain a live virus so cannot give you the flu. Some patients may, however, experience mild side effects that are similar to flu symptoms.
The flu vaccine can cause a range of common side effects including:
- Drowsiness or tiredness
- Muscle aches
- Localised pain, redness and swelling at the injection site
- Occasionally, an injection-site lump (nodule) that may last many weeks but needs no treatment
- Low-grade temperature (fever).
Common side effects following immunisation are usually mild and temporary (occurring only in the first few days after vaccination) and treatment is not usually required.
There is a very small risk of a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any vaccine. This is why you are advised to remain in the pharmacy for at least 15 minutes following vaccination in case further treatment is required. Apart from anaphylaxis, other extremely rare side effects include febrile convulsions in children.
If the side effect following immunisation is unexpected, persistent or severe, or if you are worried about yourself or your child’s condition after a vaccination, contact your GP immediately, or attend your nearest hospital emergency room or, if required, call 000.
5. I received a flu shot last year, do I need to get another one this year?
Yes, immunity decreases over time, so an annual flu vaccination is necessary to maintain protection. The composition of the vaccine changes each year. It is recommended to get vaccinated in Autumn (March-May) to allow time for immunity to strengthen before the flu season begins.
6. Which flu vaccines are National Pharmacies offering?
In 2025, National Pharmacies is providing a quadrivalent (4 strain) vaccine as part of their flu vaccination service:
- 2025 Egg-based quadrivalent influenza vaccines:
- an A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Croatia/10136RV/2023 (H3N2)-like virus; and
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus;
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
2025 Cell-based quadrivalent influenza vaccines:
- an A/Wisconsin/67/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A//District of Columbia/27/2023 (H3N2)-like virus; and
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus;
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
7. Do I need a prescription or a valid Medicare card?
No, a prescription is not required if one of our qualified health professionals administers the vaccine to you in-store. Additionally, a Medicare card is not needed to receive a flu vaccination.
8. What is the price?
Member price $21.99 and Retail price $24.99.
Family Membership Flu Offer
- Children aged 5 years to 17 years on a National Pharmacies Family membership are eligible to receive a FREE* flu vaccination when accompanying an adult on the same Family membership who purchases a flu vaccination, administered by National Pharmacies. Selected pharmacies only.
- Offer is limited to two free children’s flu vaccinations per membership.
Additional accompanying children on the same Family membership will be able to access a flu vaccination at 50% off member price.
Limit one vaccine per child. Terms and conditions and eligibility criteria apply.
9. Are National Pharmacies offering vaccinations through the National Immunisation Program (NIP)?
Yes, our vaccinating pharmacies offer influenza vaccinations under the NIP to eligible patients at no out-of-pocket cost, subject to NIP stock availability. To confirm your eligibility under the NIP, please check your eligibility here.
10. Am I able to receive other vaccinations on the same day as an influenza vaccine?
Many vaccines including COVID-19 vaccines can be co-administered (given on the same day) with an influenza vaccine. Check with your pharmacist who can advise you on specific vaccines.
11. Who is administering the vaccination at National Pharmacies and what will be provided to me after my vaccination?
Flu vaccinations are administered by a Pharmacist Immuniser and are only administered subject to a health assessment and consent prior to vaccination. You will receive a vaccination record that includes the date of vaccination, the brand, and the batch number of the flu vaccine administered.
12. Do I have to make a booking?
National Pharmacies offers walk-in appointments at selected stores, subject to availability of vaccines and our Pharmacist Immunisers. However, we highly recommend booking online in advance.
13. Do you offer a Corporate Vaccination Program?
14. Enquiries
For all enquiries related to bookings (i.e. making, rescheduling or cancelling a booking as well as booking times) please refer to our online booking portal here or contact the pharmacy in which you wish to receive your flu vaccination from. Walk in appointments may be available at selected stores. Please call your pharmacy to confirm.
15. Privacy
Your personal information may be provided to a third party for the sole purpose of vaccine administration in accordance with our privacy policy. View our Privacy Policy.
Terms and Conditions
* Terms and conditions and eligibility criteria apply. Flu vaccination bookings for 2025 will be available instore at National Pharmacies or online. Offer is only available when the child is accompanying an adult on the same National Pharmacies Family membership who purchases a flu vaccination, administered by National Pharmacies. Selected pharmacies only. Children must be aged 5 years to 17 years to access. Offer is limited to two children per Family membership. Additional accompanying children on the same Family membership can receive a flu vaccination at a discounted rate of 50% off member price. Limit one vaccine per child. This offer is available while stocks last or until 31 August 2025. Age restrictions apply. National Pharmacies is unable to offer flu vaccination to children under 5 years of age. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children may have access to the Government funded National Immunisation Program (NIP). Read our flu vaccination Frequently Asked Questions on our website to find out more. Your personal information may be provided to a third party for the sole purpose of vaccine administration. National Pharmacies will handle your personal information in accordance with Australian regulations and privacy laws and our privacy policy, which can be found at nationalpharmacies.com.au. For information about the flu vaccine, ask your pharmacist about this product and always follow the directions for use.
