Free flu vaccination rollout for 2025
On Saturday 4 January 2025 the Queensland Government announced it will continue to fund the annual free influenza vaccination program for all Queenslanders in 2025. The program has since commenced on 1 March. We will be publishing updates regarding the program's 2025 rollout here.
On Tuesday 13 May 2025 the Communicable Diseases Branch of Queensland Health provided an update on flu vaccine availability.
Queensland Health confirmed that there are no vaccine stock issues for any state-funded or NIP vaccines ordered through the Queensland Health Immunisation Program (QHIP), including influenza, pneumococcal and menB.
They are aware that there are delivery delays resulting from cyclone recovery and resupply, the influenza and School Immunisation Program rollout and recent public holidays. Queensland Health is working closely with their logistics partner to ensure appropriate strategies are in place to return to standard delivery timeframes within the next seven days.
Any practices with ongoing concerns are advised to contact QHIP direct via QHIP-ADMIN@health.qld.gov.au.
Access to vaccine supply
Since the program's rollout on 1 March, there has been some confusion between access to National Immunisation Program (NIP) influenza vaccines, supplied to providers by Queensland Health, and influenza vaccines purchased via the private market direct by providers.
AMA Queensland has confirmed with Queensland Health that there are no supply issues for this year’s Queensland Government-funded free flu vaccination program.
Many private vaccination providers have started immunising patients under the Queensland program which commenced on 1 March. This program:
- involves standard influenza vaccines, and
- is most suited to patients who are not eligible for the vaccine under the NIP.
NIP vaccines are different from those available under the Queensland program. The NIP:
- includes vaccines recommended for specific patient cohorts, particularly people aged from 65 years and other vulnerable groups, and
- its vaccines are expected to be available from April and are currently being distributed to registered providers, but timing may be different for your local area.
The timing of vaccination is important to ensure it provides protection for the whole flu season and we encourage all patients to contact their regular GP to discuss when they should get their flu shot.
For more information, patients can email Queensland Health on immunisation@health.qld.gov.au and providers via qhip-admin@health.qld.gov.au
National Immunisation Program:
Information about the Australian Government influenza vaccine
Queensland Government 2025 Free Flu Vaccination Program:
General 2025 program information
Guidelines and advice, including strains and timing
The Department of Health and Aged Care provided the following update for immunisation providers on Friday 14 March.
The delivery of Sanofi’s VaxiGrip Tetra® vaccine for the 2025 influenza season is expected to arrive in early April.
In the interim, and to ensure early access to flu vaccines for all eligible cohorts, a quantity of Sanofi’s FluQuadri® vaccine has been made available for immunisation providers to use to vaccinate NIP eligible children under 5 years until the stock of VaxiGrip Tetra® is distributed.
Please note that due to the late addition of the FluQuadri® vaccine, packaging will not be labelled with “Government Funded Program – 2025” as with other NIP influenza vaccines. With this in mind, we strongly recommend that immunisation providers make sure this stock is identified and only used and recorded as a NIP funded vaccination for children under 5 years.
The Australian Government is working with all States and Territories to support the delivery of NIP influenza vaccines through the usual channels. Should immunisation providers have questions about ordering of vaccines, these should be directed to the relevant state or territory government.
Updated 2025 NIP influenza vaccination program advice and resources
Health professionals and stakeholders can refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook Influenza chapter for clinical advice.
On Thursday 6 March 2025 the Department of Health and Aged Care shared correspondence from the Australian Government Chief Medical Officer Professor Anthony Lawler providing advice on 2025 seasonal influenza vaccination under the National Immunisation Program.
On Saturday 4 January 2025 the Queensland Government announced that it will continue to fund the annual free influenza vaccination program for all Queenslanders in 2025.
The Deputy Director-General has since provided us with the following details regarding this year’s rollout of the program.
The 2025 Free Flu Vaccination Program will commence on 1 March 2025, concluding on 30 September 2025.
The program will utilise the same funding model as 2024, where providers are reimbursed for each privately purchased influenza vaccine dose administered.
Further information from Queensland Health will be available to assist consumers and vaccination service providers in the coming weeks and months.
An evaluation of Queensland’s Free Flu Vaccination Program will be undertaken in 2025, prior to any decision being made regarding its future in 2026 and beyond.
