Seasonal Influenza Vaccines for 2023

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has published advice on seasonal influenza vaccines for 2023. Annual vaccination is recommended for all people six months of age and over and is particularly important for those most at risk.

The National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides free influenza vaccines to the following high-risk groups:

• Children aged six months to less than five years;
• All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and over;
• People aged six months and over with certain medical conditions that increase their chance of severe influenza and complications (e.g. certain cardiac, respiratory, neurological, immunocompromising, metabolic, renal, and haematological conditions; and children aged 5-10 years who are taking long-term aspirin therapy);
• Pregnant women (at any stage during pregnancy); and
• People aged 65 years and over.

Table 1 shows the influenza vaccines registered for use in 2023 by age group.

Table 1. 2023 influenza vaccines by age group

People 65 years of age and older are at higher risk of developing severe influenza. However, the effectiveness of influenza vaccines is reduced in this age group. Two higher-immunogenicity influenza vaccines are available and are preferred over standard vaccines in this population. Fluad® Quad contains an adjuvant to increase immunogenicity, and Fluzone® HighDose Quad is a higher dose vaccine, containing 240mcg influenza virus haemagglutinin in 0.7mL (compared to 60mcg in 0.5mL for the standard dose vaccines).

There is a lack of data on the co-administration of Fluad® Quad with the adjuvanted shingles vaccine (Shingrix®). While they may be given on the same day, separating the administration by a few days is preferable. ATAGI advises that influenza vaccines can be administered on the same day as any COVID-19 vaccine.

Protection from an influenza vaccine is expected to last for the entire influenza season. However, optimal protection occurs in the three to four months after vaccination. The peak season throughout most of Australia is June to September.