What is Influenza?
Influenza is an acute respiratory illness that occurs after an infection with an influenza virus. It is often called ‘the flu’. Common symptoms include:
- fever
- dry cough
- nasal congestion
- headache
- sore throat
- general symptoms such as feeling unwell, muscle aches, and pains and fatigue.
How is Influenza spread?
Influenza virus is mainly spread through large droplets from sneezing and coughing; these may be airborne and can be transmitted via inhalation and touching surfaces.
Influenza vaccinations
Vaccination, administered annually by a health professional is the safest means of protection from influenza.
How much does the Influenza vaccination cost?
AUSTRALIA
The influenza vaccines are free under the National Immunisation Program for:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
- Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
- Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
- People aged 65 years or over
- People aged 6 months or over who have medical conditions that mean they have a higher risk of getting serious disease:
- cardiac disease
- chronic respiratory conditions
- immunocompromising conditions
- haematological disorders
- chronic metabolic disorder
- chronic kidney disease
- chronic neurological condition
- long term aspirin therapy in children aged 5 to 10 years.
Your health professional can advise if you or your child have a specified medical risk condition. See also Immunisation for people with medical conditions.
For those people who are not eligible for a free vaccination, the vaccination cost varies between providers. It is typically around $20 to $30.
QLD:
In QLD, the influenza vaccination is FREE until the end of September 2025! More information here
Aspen Medical Influenza Vaccination Program
No out-of-pocket expense options:
- Vaccinations will be provided in the Deakin (Canberra) Office in April 2025. Information will be emailed to relevant team members.
- Vaccinations will NOT be provided in the Bowen Hills (Brisbane) office, due to the vaccination being available free to all QLD residents. Find a local provider using the Health Direct Find Influenza Vaccine by Location website.
Temporary out of pocket expense option:
- Aspen Medical team members who are not eligible for a free influenza vaccination and are unable to receive vaccination at the Deakin office can claim reimbursement for vaccinations. Find a local provider using the Health Direct Find Influenza Vaccine by Location website.
You can seek reimbursement by creating an expense claim in Oracle and uploading your receipt.
- Date = the date on the receipt
- Type = please select “Office supplies, Printing and Consumables”
- Expense Location = The state where you were issued the receipt
- Description = Please enter “Influenza vaccination”
- Merchant Name = the name of the company on the receipt, e.g. Priceline
- Project number 232601 (HSE)
- Task number = P100 (this will auto populate)
If you have any questions or concerns, contact the HSE Manager.
