As flu season approaches, Australians are being urged to plan their vaccinations carefully, with timing proving crucial to ensuring protection during the peak winter months. The warning comes amid growing concern about more infectious strains, including the so-called Super-K variant, following last year’s record flu season.
Curtin University immunisation expert Associate Professor Tin Fei Sim said vaccines are now arriving at GP clinics and pharmacies, making mid-to-late April the ideal time to get vaccinated.
“The flu vaccine provides peak protection for around three to four months, so timing it just before the peak season is important,” Associate Professor Sim said. “In Australia, that’s usually May to July, so mid-to-late April is ideal. It takes one to two weeks for immunity to build, so people shouldn’t leave it too late. With this year’s dominant strains likely to include H3N2 and influenza B — and the emergence of more infectious variants like Super-K — planning your vaccination now is vital.”
She added that while new options such as nasal spray vaccines are being introduced to help boost uptake in children, vaccination rates remain lower than ideal. “Making a plan to get vaccinated at the right time is still one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk,” she said.
