All children over six months of age should get the influenza vaccine: Australian and New Zealand Paediatric Infectious Diseases Group

The Australian and New Zealand Paediatric Infectious Diseases Group (ANZPID) of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID) strongly supports the recommendations of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) for all children over six months of age to receive the influenza vaccine, which is currently available throughout Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand.

The vaccine is free for those at increased risk of influenza, including young children, and is currently free for all children and adults in some areas (check your local health department website for details or ask your doctor/pharmacist).

It is particularly important for children to get influenza vaccine this year as reduced circulation of influenza virus in the past two years and reopening of international borders have increased their vulnerability to the virus. Laboratory-confirmed influenza in Australia is much greater this year than in recent years, especially in infants, children and adolescents. In fact, many types of respiratory viruses are circulating among children and families this winter, which can cause multiple viral infections at once. Vaccination helps prevent influenza infections and protects children and the wider community.

Vaccination is safe. Australian influenza vaccine safety data in 2022 from over 60,000 parent/carer surveys have shown that most children have no or only mild side effects. More information is available at AusVaxSafety.

Infants and young children are more likely to require hospital admission if they catch influenza. This is true for all children, not just those with existing medical conditions. Influenza vaccination is one of the most important preventative measures to keep our children healthy.

Please consider getting vaccinated today.