Get Ahead of Flu Season. Vaccines Now Available.

Flu Vaccinations are now available at Varo Medical, Taroona

Flu season is on its way, and the great news is that our clinic is now stocked and ready to help protect you and your family. Don't wait until you're feeling miserable — getting vaccinated now gives your immune system the best chance to build strong protection before winter arrives.

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Why Bother With the Flu Vaccine?

The flu isn't just a bad cold. It can cause serious illness and hospitalisation — even in otherwise healthy people. The good news is that vaccination is the safest and most effective way to protect yourself and those around you. And because the flu virus changes every year, a fresh vaccine each year is the way to go.

What's in the 2026 Vaccine?

This year's vaccines are trivalent, meaning they cover two influenza A strains and one influenza B strain. The old B/Yamagata lineage has been dropped entirely — it hasn't been detected globally in years — so the formula is well-targeted to what's actually circulating.

Is Your Flu Vaccine Free?

You may be eligible for a free government-funded flu vaccine under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). In Tasmania, the following groups qualify:

• Children aged 6 months to under 5 years

• All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over

• Pregnant women — at any stage of pregnancy, and for every pregnancy

• People aged 65 years and over

• People aged 6 months and over with an eligible medical condition (see below)

If you fall into one of these groups, there is no out-of-pocket cost for your vaccine when you book with us.

A Special Vaccine for Our 65+ Patients

If you're 65 or over, you'll receive Fluad — a specially formulated adjuvanted vaccine designed to produce a stronger immune response. It's the same quick appointment, just better protection tailored to your age group.

Do You Have an Eligible Medical Condition?

You may qualify for a free vaccine if you have any of the following:

• Cardiac disease (e.g. congenital heart disease, heart failure, coronary artery disease)

• Chronic respiratory conditions (e.g. severe asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis)

• Chronic neurological conditions (e.g. seizure disorders, neuromuscular disorders, spinal cord injuries)

• Immunocompromising conditions (e.g. malignancy, transplantation, chronic steroid use, HIV, asplenia)

• Diabetes (Type 1 or 2) or other chronic metabolic disorders

• Chronic kidney disease (stage 4 or 5)

• Haematological disorders

• Long-term aspirin therapy in children aged 5–10 years

Not sure if your condition qualifies? Just ask us — we're happy to check.

Not Eligible for a Free Vaccine? No Problem.

If you don't fall into one of the funded groups, we have private flu vaccines available for just $20. It's a small investment to try and prevent a winter with the misery of influenza — and it helps protect the more vulnerable people around you too.

Booking is Simple

You can book your flu vaccine quickly and easily through HotDoc. Just choose the Flu Vaccine booking option!

For eligible patients, there is no consultation fee and no out-of-pocket cost — the government covers it entirely. For private patients, you simply pay the $20 vaccine cost at the time of your appointment, with no additional consultation charge. No drama, no long waits — just fast, friendly care.

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A Note on FluMist (The Nasal Spray Vaccine)

You may have heard about FluMist, the new needle-free nasal spray flu vaccine approved for children aged 2–17 years. While it sounds appealing for needle-shy kids, at this stage we won't be stocking FluMist at our clinic. However, if you're keen on FluMist for your child, we're happy to write a private prescription so you can purchase it from a pharmacy.

When Should I Get Vaccinated?

Now! Vaccination is ideally recommended from April onwards to ensure you're protected before the peak flu season of June to September. It takes around two weeks after vaccination for full protection to kick in, so earlier is better. And if you had last year's flu vaccine — even recently — you should still get the 2026 vaccine, as the strains have been updated.

Whether you're protecting yourself, your little ones, your parents, or the whole household, we're here to make it straightforward. Book your flu vaccine today through HotDoc and head into winter one step ahead.

Have questions about eligibility or which vaccine is right for you? Give us a call or ask at your next appointment — we're always happy to help.

Remember, booking is simple.

Choose the Flu Vaccine option via HotDoc. Appointments are quick, making it easy to stay protected with minimal disruption to your day.

Book an Appointment