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<\/p>\nKey PointsInfluenza can cause mild to severe and even life-threatening illness. Yearly flu immunisation is recommended for everyone aged 6 months or over. Children in Australia have access to a no-needle, nasal spray\u202fflu vaccine. The flu vaccine is safe and effective, so speak to your doctor if you have questions or concerns. <\/p>\n
Influenza, or the flu, is a year-round circulating virus, which means you can catch it at any time of the year.<\/p>\n
In Australia, flu activity increases during autumn and infections peak between June and September.<\/p>\n
How serious is the flu?<\/p>\n
Flu symptoms are more acute and long-lasting than a common cold.<\/p>\n
They can include high fever, muscle aches and joint pains, headaches and sore throat.<\/p>\n
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The flu is Australia\u2019s most common illness preventable by vaccination. Source: Moment RF \/ Halfpoint Images\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
Most people infected with influenza recover within a few days. But some patients are at greater risk of severe illness and complications.<\/p>\n
In Australia, 2025 was the deadliest influenza year on record with over 1,700 deaths<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of us think it’s just like a cold, but it kills hundreds of Australians every year,\u201d Dr Michael Wright, Sydney General Practitioner and President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, says.<\/p>\n \u201cMany thousands of Australians are admitted to hospital with influenza because it’s a serious respiratory infection.\u201d<\/p>\n Who is likely to get very sick from influenza?<\/p>\n Even healthy people can get very sick with the flu.<\/p>\n High-risk groups for severe illness and needing hospital care include children under five, over 65s, Aboriginal and\/or Torres Islander individuals, people with chronic conditions and pregnant women.<\/p>\n \u201cThese people are more likely to get lung infections, pneumonia and need to go to hospital,\u201d Dr Wright says.<\/p>\n How can I protect myself from the flu?<\/p>\n Influenza is spread through droplets from an infected person\u2019s throat or nose.<\/p>\n Credit: Healthdirect<\/p>\n Practising good hygiene, like regular handwashing and covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, can help lower your chance of catching the flu and spreading it.<\/p>\n But the most effective way to prevent influenza and severe complications from it, is having the annual flu vaccine.<\/p>\n \u201cThe advantage of getting vaccinated is that you reduce the risk of you getting sick, and you actually make sure that you are much less likely to get a serious infection,\u201d Dr Wright explains.<\/p>\n Vaccinated individuals are also less likely to infect others.<\/p>\n Getting vaccinated is the best thing you can do to protect yourself, your family and also your community.<\/p>\n Dr Michael Wright<\/p>\n Should I get the flu shot and do I have to pay?<\/p>\n Flu immunisation is very important for everyone but especially for vulnerable people in the community.<\/p>\n \u201cWe recommend everybody over the age of six months gets a flu vaccine every year,” Dr Stephanie Williams says.<\/p>\n Dr Williams is Assistant Director General in the Communicable Diseases Branch of the Australian Centre for Disease Control.<\/p>\n![\"Flu](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/flu-tips-infographic-v08-05-25.jpg\"\/)
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