BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE

MAY 28, 2025

In Australia, the flu jab is free for all children aged six months to five years. 

This quick jab is an effective way to ward off a nasty case of the flu, however, a new poll suggests that some of us parents aren’t too sharp when it comes to our understanding of this illness. 

The latest National Child Health Poll, conducted by The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne (RCH), shows that one third of parents (36% to be exact) aren’t aware that healthy children can get seriously unwell from the flu (more about this below).   

And according to the polled parents, only two-thirds (ok, 61%) of children are likely to be vaccinated against the flu this season.  

The Poll has also highlighted a lack of awareness around how often a child should be vaccinated against the flu. 

Out of those parents not planning to give their child the flu jab, the Poll found that 71% didn’t know that the flu vaccine is recommended every year – which it is. 

This is all very interesting, and the flu jab is definitely a smart idea for little learners and us parents. 

It’s a safe and effective way to guard our bodies against the flu for about three or four months after the vaccine.

So, before the start of winter (i.e. now) is the perfect time to get immunised for influenza. 

If your child is under nine years of age, and getting the flu jab for the first time, they’ll need two doses, given four weeks apart.  

And you can easily book a free flu jab for your under-five at your family doctor or local council immunisation clinic, with lots of pharmacies also offering flu jabs (and easy online booking systems).   

In some states, like Queensland and Western Australia, the flu jab is also free right now for over-fives and us grown-ups, and even if you have to pay, it’s definitely worth getting the vaccine each year.  

A nasty case of the flu can lay your whole family low for a significant period of time, which is bad news for work, life and childcare. 

It's also important to know that this viral infection can be particularly hard on your little one.  

Children under the age of five are more likely to get very sick with the flu, and research tells us that under-fives have a higher risk of hospitalisation and increased morbidity after influenza than older children. 

So, although it is possible to get the flu after being vaccinated (if you and/or your child catch a flu strain that’s not covered by this year’s vaccine), you’re definitely wise to get the jab before winter closes in.  

If you have any concerns about the flu vaccine, reading this fact sheet and talking to a medical professional will help, and the flu jab is recommended for your early learner.  

Little children love to touch and taste, so this contagious illness can spread super easily in groups of under-fives.  

And if you’re about to enter the world of childcare, there are some other vaccinations your early learner may need to catch up on. 

To see which jabs are required for Child Care Subsidy eligibility, and how immunisation may affect your child’s enrolment, check out this KindiCare article.