Seasonal · March–August (Southern hemisphere) and year-round for travellers
Annual inactivated influenza vaccine covering the WHO-recommended Northern/Southern hemisphere strains for the current season. The most requested pharmacy immunisation.
Who should get it
- Adults 18 years and older (especially 65+)
- People with asthma, COPD, diabetes, heart disease, or immunosuppression
- Pregnant people (inactivated vaccine, any trimester — clinician-aligned)
- Healthcare workers and caregivers of high-risk household members
- Anyone who wants seasonal protection
Who should wait
- People currently unwell with moderate/severe acute illness and fever — defer until recovered
- Anyone with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks of a previous flu vaccine — discuss with a clinician first
Contraindications
- Anaphylaxis to a previous influenza vaccine dose or a known vaccine component
- Live attenuated nasal spray is not used in this pharmacy programme
Precautions
- Egg allergy is not an automatic contraindication for modern inactivated vaccines — pharmacist will screen
- Anticoagulant therapy: apply firm pressure at the injection site
Common side effects
- Sore arm
- Low-grade fever
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches for 1–2 days
Rare risks
- Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
- Guillain-Barré syndrome (very rare)
Indications
Prevention of influenza in adults and eligible adolescents. Particularly important for people 65+, pregnant people (inactivated only), those with chronic heart/lung/metabolic disease, healthcare workers, and caregivers of infants.
Regulatory note
Administered only by immunisation-certified pharmacists where PPB/MoH authorisation is in force. Lot, expiry, site, and immuniser are recorded.
