Your health and wellbeing are very important to us, so this year we are providing free flu (influenza) vaccines to everyone who receives Life Without Barriers services.
Vaccination reduces your chances of getting the flu and also helps protect the people in your family and the wider community by reducing the spread of the flu to others.
How can I receive a free flu vaccine?
Everyone should seek medical advice before receiving the flu shot. Medical experts advise the best time to be vaccinated against the flu is April/May. Under the Australian Government’s National Immunisation Program, you can already receive the flu vaccine for free if you are:
Aged 65 years and over
Identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Have a medical condition that may expose you to complications if you contract influenza.
If these categories do not apply to you, Life Without Barriers will cover the cost of your flu shot.
Your Life Without Barriers support team will support you to book a free flu shot for you at your local chemist or pharmacist. They will make a booking online using their Life Without Barriers email address.
For more information, please speak to your Life Without Barriers support person
When can I expect to receive a flu shot?
As a result of Coronavirus, there has been unprecedented demand for the flu vaccine worldwide, leading to a shortage in Australia. This means pharmacies may not receive the vaccine until later in the cold and flu season. Pharmacies will provide vaccinations on a first-come-first-serve basis, so we recommend you book your appointment as soon as possible to secure your vaccine.
Do I need a flu shot during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic?
It is important that we make sure we avoid the flu (influenza) this cold and flu season, particularly in light of the COVID-19 situation, which may mean many people in our community become unwell. With this in mind, we are providing free flu vaccines to everyone who receives our services.
Flu shots help keep you and the people in your family and community safe from the flu. It is important we keep our immune systems strong and keep flu-related illnesses out of hospitals and GP clinics so that our healthcare system can deal with COVID-19 in the coming months.
How can I stay safe and healthy?
To ensure we minimise the risk of contracting or spreading any virus, please make sure you and the people in your household follow good health hygiene practices:
Avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections;
frequent hand washing, especially after contact with ill people or their environment;
covering noses and mouths when sneezing or coughing;
staying at home if unwell.
Where can I find more information?
To learn more about flu shots, click here
Life Without Barriers has partnered with Integrity Health & Safety and Australian Vaccine Services Pty Ltd (AVS) to deliver flu vaccinations across Australia for the 2020 flu season.
Integrity Health & Safety is Australia’s leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander full-service provider of Health, Safety & Compliance products, training, and solutions.
AVS links into GP clinics and over 800 pharmacy locations nationally.
