A resurgence of the flu is expected coming into winter every year. The best protection against the flu and its complications is getting the flu vaccination. Book your flu shot now with Pharmacy 4 Less to ensure you are protected this winter.
At Pharmacy 4 Less, the flu vaccine is delivered by a qualified, trained pharmacist at your local Pharmacy 4 Less store, at a time that is convenient to you. It is safe to receive both COVID-19 Booster doses with your flu vaccination if you wish, so protect yourself against both flu and COVID-19 this winter.
Talk to your local pharmacist about how you can protect your family against the flu.
Booking your Flu Vaccination is easy.
STEP 1: Find your nearest Pharmacy 4 Less utilising the store locator below
STEP 2: Click on the Book Service button, this will take you to a calendar to book a service
STEP 3: Select a flu vaccination service from the services drop down and select your nominated date and time.
Flu Vaccination FAQs
What is the flu?
Flu is not the same as the common cold. It is a serious disease that can develop to bronchitis, croup, pneumonia, ear infections, heart and other organ damage, brain inflammation and brain damage or even death. It is easily transmitted from person to person. Most infections happen in winter. Flu affects people of all ages. Symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, cough, sore throat, fever, chills, headache and body aches. Vomiting and diarrhoea are also symptoms of the flu but occur more commonly in children. Having the flu is miserable and will put you out of action and keep you away from work or school for a week or more. Some people are ill for much longer.
What is the flu vaccine?
Influenza (flu) vaccines are given each year to protect you against the flu. Every year the World Health Organisation recommends the strains to be included in influenza (flu) vaccines. The Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee uses this recommendation to determine the influenza virus composition of vaccines for use in Australia.
Why the yearly flu vaccination?
Influenza (flu) can be a very serious disease resulting in hospitalisation and death. Various influenza virus strains circulate each year, and the flu vaccine is modified each year to protect you against those more commonly circulating strains. The flu is contagious and easily spread. This becomes important when it is spread to those who are too young to be immunised or are at higher risk of complications of disease. By taking the flu shot you can avoid great inconvenience, cost of GP visits and medications, as well as time off work to care for yourself or your sick child.
What type of flu vaccines do Pharmacy 4 Less offer?
Pharmacy 4 Less offers you the choice of receiving an egg-based vaccine or cell-based vaccine. Traditional vaccines are cultivated in chicken eggs. Cell-based influenza vaccines are made by growing the influenza viruses in animal cells lines and have the potential to provide protection against flu strains that are more closely matched to the strains circulating in the community. Talk to your pharmacist if you have any questions.
What happens when I arrive at the pharmacy to receive my flu vaccination?
A flu vaccination consultation generally takes approximately 15 minutes. If you have booked online ensure you have completed the consent form provided to you as a link in your SMS booking confirmation. On arrival one of our friendly pharmacy team will direct you to the waiting area. If you have not completed the online consent form, you will be asked to complete a consent form prior to your appointment. The pharmacist will consult with you and administer a flu vaccination in a private room or private area. After your vaccination, please remain in the waiting area for 15 minutes so the pharmacist can monitor you for reactions and to answer any questions you many have.
Are there any side effects?
The influenza (flu) vaccine is safe. The chance of experiencing a serious problem from the vaccine is far lower than the risk of serious harm from catching influenza. Common side effects you may experience include pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, body aches, tiredness or a slight fever. These signs usually disappear in a few days. The vaccine doesn’t contain any live virus so you can’t get the flu from being vaccinated.
Who can receive the flu vaccine under the National Immunisation Program (NIP)?
You can receive the flu vaccine under the NIP if you are 65 years of age or older for a professional service fee. In Victoria you are eligible for government-funded influenza vaccine through the NIP if you are: aged 65 years and older; of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent aged 10 years and older; aged 10 to 64 years with medical conditions that can lead to complications from influenza, such as severe asthma, lung or heart disease, low immunity, or diabetes; pregnant in any stage of pregnancy.
Can I get my family vaccinated?
The majority of Pharmacy 4 Less stores are vaccinating patients over 10 years of age. Speak to your pharmacist about vaccinating your family.
What should I do if I feel unwell after receiving the flu vaccination?
An allergic reaction to the vaccine is rare but serious. If an allergic reaction is going to happen it will usually occur within 15 minutes of receiving a vaccine, which is why you should wait this amount of time before leaving the pharmacy. Seek medical attention if you think you are having an allergic reaction and call 000 if the symptoms are severe, such as if you have difficulty breathing, start wheezing, have a fast heartbeat, or feel like you may be about to collapse.
What’s the best time to take the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine is best taken before the start of flu season is recommended for all individuals ≥ 6 months of age. The peak period of circulating influenza disease is typically June to September, however out of season cases do occur. It is never too late in the season to vaccinate. Optimal influenza disease protection occurs in the first 3-4 months following immunisation before it begins to wane. Annual influenza immunisation is therefore strongly recommended to have the best possible protection against influenza disease and its complications.
How quickly am I protected after receiving the influenza vaccine?
Most people will develop immunity within two to three weeks of vaccination providing optimal protection for the first 3-4 months thereafter. As influenza disease usually occurs from June, with the peak around August, vaccinating from mid-April will allow people to develop immunity before influenza transmission is at its peak.
What’s the best time to take the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine is best taken before the start of flu season is recommended for all individuals ≥ 6 months of age. The peak period of circulating influenza disease is typically June to September, however out of season cases do occur. It is never too late in the season to vaccinate. Optimal influenza disease protection occurs in the first 3-4 months following immunisation before it begins to wane. Annual influenza immunisation is therefore strongly recommended to have the best possible protection against influenza disease and its complications.
Can I take the flu vaccine if I’ve had the flu?
The influenza vaccine is still recommended for someone who’s had a confirmed flu infection as the vaccine protects against multiple strains. The flu vaccine can be taken as soon as you have recovered from illness.
Is immunization to the flu safe in children?
Surveillance of influenza vaccine safety continues to occur via AusVaxSafety which monitors post influenza immunisation outcomes. In children 6 months to < 5 years of age, it has been found that children in this age group experience only low rates of fevers (2%) and medical attendance (1%) post influenza immunisation. Online reporting of adverse events following immunisation can be reported online to SAEFVIC.
Is it safe to receive the flu vaccine in pregnancy?
Annual Immunisation against the flu is safe and recommended to receive the influenza vaccine during pregnancy. Immunisation not only provides protection for the mother against disease, but maternal antibodies are also transmitted to the baby, which will provide protection against disease for the first few months of life. Influenza immunisation is funded on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for all pregnant women (consultation fee applies).
Is it safe to receive the flu vaccine whilst breastfeeding?
Annual Immunisation against the flu is safe and recommended for breastfeeding mothers. Babies less than 6 months of age are at greatest risk from disease yet cannot receive influenza vaccines until they are 6 months of age. Maternal immunisation will provide protection for mothers as well as providing some passive protection for babies through the secretion of antibodies until they are old enough to receive their own influenza vaccine.
How much does the flu vaccination cost?
The cost of the flu vaccination at participating Pharmacy 4 Less stores is $24.99. Eligible patients are able to be vaccinated under the National Immunisation Program for a nominal professional services fee. You also have a choice of receiving the cell-based flu vaccine Flucelvax for $39.99.
Can I get the flu vaccination at any Pharmacy 4 Less store?
The list of Pharmacy 4 Less stores above will be able to assist you with the flu vaccination.
Flu Vaccination and Covid-19 FAQs
Can I have the flu vaccine along with my COVID-19 vaccine booster dose?
Yes, you can receive the flu vaccine on the same day as COVID-19 vaccines. Speak to your pharmacist if you have any questions.
What is “Flurona”?
Globally, incidences of “flurona”, a co-infection of influenza and COVID-19, have been recorded which places people at higher risks of severe disease or poorer health outcomes. To reduce the risk of co-infection, it is recommended individuals receive the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine annually as well as remaining up to date with COVID-19 vaccination as per current recommendations.
Can I have the flu vaccine if I had a reaction to COVID-19 vaccine?
A previous reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine is not a reason not to receive the flu vaccination. If you had an anaphylactic reaction to any influenza vaccine or a component of any influenza vaccine you should not receive the influenza vaccine. Speak to your pharmacist if you have any questions.