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2026 flu vaccines ready to roll out
A new factsheet has been released, providing practical advice for GPs administering this year’s influenza vaccines.
In 2026, almost 19,000 influenza cases have been reported across Australia.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has released its 2026 influenza vaccination advice ahead of this year’s flu season.
According to the advice, the importance of influenza vaccination should be emphasised by GPs, stating that healthcare provider recommendation is the ‘strongest predictor of a person's decision to vaccinate’.
In separate advice from the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in 2026, for adults aged 65 years and over, both the NIP-funded adjuvanted vaccine (sold as Fluad) and the private market high dose influenza vaccine (sold as Fluzone High-Dose) are ‘equally preferentially recommended over standard influenza vaccines’.
Flucelvax is NIP-funded for people aged 5–64 years with medical conditions that put them at increased risk of complications from influenza.
It also confirmed there is no preferential recommendation between Flucelvax and standard dose egg-based influenza vaccines and that influenza vaccines can be co-administered with other vaccines.
According to the updated advice, annual influenza vaccination is recommended when it becomes available in April 2026.
‘For patients who received a 2025 influenza vaccine in late 2025 or early 2026, it is still recommended they receive a 2026 vaccine when it becomes available,’ it confirmed.
‘Vaccination should continue to be offered as long as influenza viruses are circulating and a valid vaccine is available.’
The factsheet also includes specific advice on:
- special considerations for travelling patients
- children aged six months to less than five years
- pregnant women
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
- people aged 65 years and over
- medically at-risk patients.
Ahead of winter, Australian flu vaccine manufacturer CSL Seqirus has also confirmed private market vaccines are now available for clinics and pharmacies.
Dr Jules Bayliss, CSL Seqirus Vaccines Medical Director, said the company will be ‘supporting doctors with vaccine stock’.
‘This season, CSL Seqirus will be supplying cell-based and adjuvanted vaccines for the private market and as part of the NIP,’ he confirmed.
This year will also see the first needle-free flu vaccines available for children in Australia with state-based immunisation programs in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.
The advice come as flu cases continue to soar across Australia, with the
most cases in more than 25 years recorded in 2025.
So far in 2026, almost 19,000 influenza cases have been reported nationwide.
In response, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer and former RACGP President Professor Michael Kidd has now written directly to GPs, saying their recommendation to patients is ‘one of the most influential drivers of vaccination acceptance’.
‘As we prepare for the upcoming influenza season, I am writing to reinforce the vital role annual influenza vaccination plays in protecting individuals, families, and communities,’ he said.
‘Ensuring your patients remain up to date with all vaccinations is essential to reducing preventable disease and maintaining system resilience during the winter months.’
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