2021 Flu Vaccinations – call now to reserve your spot
Flu season is once again upon us and we strongly recommend the 2021 flu vaccine for all patients over 6 months of age. The vaccination helps guard against preventable strains of influenza A and B and is more important than ever this year with the added threat of COVID-19.
What is Influenza?
The flu (also called influenza) is a very contagious infection of the airways which spreads easily from person to person. It is especially serious for babies, people over 65 years and pregnant women. Compared with other viral respiratory infections (such as the common cold), the flu can cause severe illness and, in some cases, life-threatening complications or even death.
Drive-in Carpark Flu Vaccination Clinics
Back in 2021 by popular demand!
Due to social distancing requirements and the ongoing risks presented by COVID-19 we are again organising our vaccination clinics into our very successful Drive-in Carpark format used last year.
Vaccines delivered in our dedicated Drive-in Clinic format are fully supervised by a dedicated nurse and a GP and they will be run every Tuesday afternoon in May between 1pm-5.30pm. Vaccines delivered in the Drive-in Clinic format will be direct billed to Medicare.
Due to limited space inside the practice and limited appointment capacity, we cannot book patients into a standard appointment slot solely for an influenza vaccine. In some circumstances we may be able to opportunistically administer a flu vaccine if you are seeing the doctor about another issue, but this is time dependent.
Appointments available now – call our reception team to book into one of our 2021 Drive-in flu vaccination clinics today!
Answers to your common questions
When is the best time to get vaccinated?
Evidence suggests protection from the flu vaccine begins to wane 3-4 months after it is administered. Because peak flu season is expected to be June to August this year, timing of your vaccination is important, which is why our clinics are scheduled to start in May.
How much does it cost to be vaccinated?
Costs vary depending on whether you qualify for the free Government Funded vaccine consumable, however, provided you receive you vaccine in one of our dedicated vaccine clinics, the most you will be out of pocket is $23 if you need to purchase the vaccine from us (if you don’t meet the criteria for a government funded vaccine consumable listed below).
A consultation fee also applies for each patient, however Medicare rebates are available. Talk to one of the team for more information, as consultation fees vary depending on whether or not you receive your vaccine during a dedicated vaccine clinic. Patients receiving the vaccine in our dedicated drive through flu vaccination clinics will have their consult charged directly to Medicare (provided the patient has a valid Medicare Card).
Government Funded eligibility criteria
In 2021, the following people are eligible to receive the vaccine consumable for free under the National Immunisation Program:
- Children 6 months to less than 5
- People aged 65 and over
- Pregnant people
- Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander people over 6 months
- People with medical conditions that can lead to complications from influenza (e.g. severe asthma, lung or heart disease, low immunity or diabetes)
Want more information about the flu vaccine?
Download a copy of our 2021-flu-vax-information-update-final-for-website. It’s full of up-to-the-minute information about influenza, how the vaccine works, why you should get it and the actual composition of this year’s vaccinations.