Bookings and walk-ins are welcome at most Wizard Pharmacies, it is advised to call to ensure your local pharmacy can accommodate for walk-ins and the Pharmacist who can vaccinate is available.
Our flu vaccinations cost $27.95 for a standard vaccination and $39.95 for cell-based vaccinations. Whilst vaccines are free for patients eligible for the National Immunisation Program, a $17.95 pharmacy consultation fee applies.
Yes. Select your required Covid-19 vaccination first and you will then be able to book to have your flu vaccination at the same time. Click HERE to learn more about Covid-19 vaccinations and book in.
Yearly influenza vaccination is recommended for people aged 6 months and over. Flu vaccinations at Wizard Pharmacies are available to most people aged 5 years or older.
If you are unsure about whether you or your family should get the flu vaccination contact your local Wizard Pharmacy today for advice.
The following people are more at risk of complications from influenza and are eligible for annual influenza vaccination free under the National Immunisation Program:
Children under nine years receiving their influenza vaccination for the first time require two doses of vaccine, spaced by a minimum of one month.
Please note that pharmacists in each state and territory are able to vaccinate various patient groups. Please contact your local Wizard Pharmacy for further information.
While the cost of the vaccine is covered by the Government, a $17.95 pharmacy consultation fee applies. People who are not eligible for a free vaccine can purchase the vaccine from their immunisation provider.
No matter how fit and healthy you are, you can still get the flu. The flu can make you feel unwell for at least a week with symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, headaches and muscle pain.
An annual flu vaccine is the best defence in helping you and your family fight the flu and stop the spread of the virus in the community.
The flu and a cold are different in terms of both symptom severity and duration. A cold usually has more nasal symptoms which can last a few days, whilst the flu can last up to 2 weeks and tends to cause higher fever and muscle pains and shivering. The flu can also lead to serious complications, particularly in children, the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions such as lowered immunity or certain heart conditions.
The flu is easily spread from person to person by airborne fluids when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The droplets can then infect someone through their eyes, nose or mouth. Surfaces such as door handles, pens and cups can also become contaminated by these fluids, potentially passing the flu virus onto the next person that comes into contact with them.
There are a range of things that you can do to minimize the likelihood of getting the flu. The best defence is to get vaccinated each year. You should also ensure that you wash hands thoroughly and regularly or use hand sanitiser to reduce the spread of the flu.
The flu vaccine protects against four influenza viruses that will be the most common during the coming flu season. A few weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop in the body to provide protection against infection.
The flu virus is capable of changing each year causing different flu strains to circulate within the community. Your immunity will also decrease over time and therefore a flu vaccination is recommended each year to ensure you continue to protect your body against the flu.
Wizard Pharmacies will only vaccinate using the latest strain to ensure we protect all our customers as best we can.
The flu virus is capable of changing form at a very rapid rate, resulting in different strains circulating in the community each flu season. The influenza virus changes from year-to-year, and any previous flu vaccination may no longer be effective. Each year the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends which strain of the flu virus Australians should be immunised against to best protect themselves. Your immunity against the flu decreases over time, so it is important to be vaccinated against the new strains each year.
The influenza vaccine for the Australian 2023 influenza season contains the following virus strains:
Egg-based quadrivalent influenza vaccines:
Your immune system takes time to actively defend against the flu, but protection normally starts 2 weeks after being vaccinated and then is at full defence after about 6 weeks. This protection normally continues through for a full year. The best time to be vaccinated is in mid- April to May to allow for full protection during the peak flu season of July to September.
All medicines including vaccines, can have side effects, however, most of these side effects are minor. Common side effects following flu vaccination include soreness, redness, pain, fever and swelling at the injection site. These side effects are usually mild and resolve without any treatment within a few days. If you are concerned you should contact your local Wizard Pharmacist.
As cases of influenza usually start to appear from June, with most infections recorded around August, vaccinating from mid-April will allow you to develop immunity before the flu season reaches its peak. It's a good idea to speak with your GP or pharmacist about when the best time is to receive your vaccine, based on your individual circumstances. 2
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has advised that influenza vaccines can be co-administered with COVID vaccines, meaning you can have both vaccines at the same time. 3
Sources: The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th Edition, Immunise Australia Program, Australian Government Department of Health: Australian Influenza Surveillance Report and Activity, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention: What You Should Know for the 2015-20146 Influenza Season, World Health Organization: Influenza (seasonal)
1Flu vaccination 2021. Australian Govt Dept of Health. Cited Aug 2021. Available from URL: https://www.health.gov.au/news/flu-vaccination-in-2021
22019 Influenza vaccines. Dept of Health Australia. Last updated 9 Mar 2019. Available from URL: https://beta.health.gov.au/news-and-events/media-releases/2019-influenza-vaccines
3 Statement on the Administration of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines in 2021- updated December 2021. Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). December 2021. Available from URL: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/12/atagi-advice-on-seasonal-influenza-vaccines-in-2021-december-2021-update.pdf
