Flu vaccine 2023/24: rule changes and what nurses need to know

Quick guide for nurses on which groups are eligible for free immunisation, public and healthcare professionals’ attitudes and possible consequences of low uptake

This year’s flu season is just around the corner and, if what has happened in the southern hemisphere is anything to go by, it could be a tough one.

Australia had a high number of infections early in its flu season, which typically begins in May, and by early August there had been almost 200,000 lab-confirmed influenza cases since January – and 194 deaths . In contrast, the pre-COVID five-year average was around 114,000 confirmed cases annually.

Children have been the most affected, with under 16s accounting for 72% of hospital admissions since April, probably because of