“Flu is highly contagious and can pose a serious health risk to some people. Vaccination is the best way to avoid being knocked down by the flu as an individual and reduce exposure in the wider community,” Mr Wilson said.

“The flu vaccine is free for certain vulnerable groups but everyone should consider their own circumstances and guard against the impact of this virus by visiting their community pharmacy or local GP to seek advice about receiving the flu shot.”

The following groups of people can receive a free flu vaccine:

• pregnant women
• children aged 6 months to less than 5 years
• people 65 years and older
• Aboriginal Australians 15 years and older
• people 6 months and older with medical conditions that put them at risk of severe flu
• children aged 6 months to 10 years receiving long-term aspirin therapy

August is typically the peak time for incidence of the influenza virus.

For information specific to this year’s flu vaccine, visit: http://www.immunise.health.gov.au/