A flu vaccine is recommended every year for everyone aged 6 months and over, because the virus changes from season to season. COVID-19 vaccines are now aimed at the people most at risk of severe illness.

Our Bayswater immunisation clinic gives flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to children and adults. If you qualify under the National Immunisation Program, the vaccine is free. If you don’t, a private flu vaccination is $15. A GP or nurse checks your health and your immunisation record first, so you’ll know which vaccines you’re due for before you have anything.

Knox GP is a bulk billing family practice at 538 Mountain Highway, Bayswater. Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are booked like any other appointment, and you can have both at the same visit if you’re due for both.

Your appointment covers:

• A check of your health on the day, your medications and any reaction you’ve had to a vaccine before
• Whether you qualify for a free flu or COVID-19 vaccine under the National Immunisation Program
• Your flu vaccine, your COVID-19 vaccine, or both at the same appointment
• A look at your record on the Australian Immunisation Register for any routine doses you’ve missed
• The dose recorded on the register, so it shows on your immunisation history statement in myGov

1. Book online through HotDoc, or call us on 03 9100 3130 if you think you qualify for a free vaccine, so we can book the right appointment.
2. A GP or nurse runs through a few questions about your health, then gives the vaccine.
3. Wait in the clinic for 15 minutes afterwards so we can watch for an immediate reaction, then you’re done.

If you’re due for both flu and COVID-19 vaccines, mention it when you book so we can give them at the same visit.

Both protect against respiratory viruses that spread in Victoria every year, but who should have them, and how often, is different for each.

The flu vaccine is updated every year to match the strains expected to circulate in the coming winter, so last year’s dose doesn’t cover this year’s flu. It’s recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over, and April to June is the usual window, before flu season peaks.

From 1 October 2026, COVID-19 vaccines moved onto the National Immunisation Program, and the funded doses now go to the people most at risk of severe illness. Depending on your age and health, a dose is given once or twice a year, about six months apart. You don’t need to wait a set time after having COVID before your next dose.

Some groups get their flu vaccine, their COVID-19 vaccine or both for free under the National Immunisation Program, and the lists aren’t the same for each.

The following individuals are at higher risk of complications from influenza and are eligible for a free annual flu vaccination under the National Immunisation Program:

• 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 with medical conditions that put them at higher risk of serious disease, including:
  • Cardiac disease
  • Chronic respiratory conditions
  • Chronic neurological conditions
  • Immunocompromising conditions
  • Diabetes and other metabolic disorders
  • Renal disease
  • Haematological disorders
  • Children aged 6 months to 10 years on long-term aspirin therapy

From 1 October 2026, COVID-19 vaccines are funded for:

• Adults aged 75 and over, with two funded doses a year
• Adults aged 65 to 74, with one funded dose a year
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 50 to 74, with one funded dose a year
• Adults aged 18 to 64 with severe immunocompromise, with one funded dose a year

A private flu vaccination at Knox GP is $15. People outside the funded COVID-19 groups can choose to pay for a dose after talking it through with their GP.

Bring your Medicare card. Tell us when you book, or when you arrive, if you’re pregnant, immunocompromised, have had a serious reaction to a vaccine before, or have a fever on the day.

A GP or nurse asks a few quick questions, confirms which vaccines you’re due for and gives the injection. Each dose goes on the Australian Immunisation Register the same day.

Common side effects are a sore arm, mild fever, tiredness or aches for a day or two, and they settle on their own. If anything worries you once you’re home, call the clinic, or 000 in an emergency.