In a severe year, around 20% of Australians can become infected with the illness and even healthy, young adults may take several weeks to fully recover.

Getting vaccinated is the single, most effective way to minimise the risk of contracting the disease. 

Producing influenza vaccines

The influenza vaccines available in Australia are all made from influenza viruses that have been grown, highly purified, chemically killed and then ‘split' or disaggregated with a detergent or solvent. The end-product is a ‘vaccine' consisting of pieces of purified inactivated influenza viruses.

Influenza Vaccine Composition in the Southern Hemisphere/Australia

The formulation of vaccines for use in Australia is determined each year by the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee based on information and recommendations from the WHO September consultation. More...

Myths and misconceptions 

Find out what you really know influenza and vaccinations and understand why influenza (commonly known as flu) is a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease. More... 

Page published:  January 2014 

Last updated:      January 2014