The 2026 Influenza Immunisation Programme.

The 2026 influenza programme will commence 1st April 2026 and run through until 31st December 2026.

Fees.

$30.00 or FREE for people who meet the eligibility criteria, as set by Pharmac:

This year we will be accepting the following vouchers for influenza immunisation.

  • Maxwell Health

  • Lifecare Consultants, please note: vouchers are only valid until 31 August 2026.

Information.

  • The 2026 flu vaccine is free for:

    1. people aged 65 years and over,

    2. people aged 6 months and over who have a long-term eligible medical condition*

    3. pregnant people,

    4. children aged 4 years and under who have been hospitalised for respiratory illness or have a history of significant respiratory illness,

    5. people with mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder,

    6. people who are currently accessing secondary or tertiary mental health and addiction services.

    *See Pharmac for detailed information re eligibility and eligible conditions

  • The circulating influenza viruses can change and the strains in the vaccine usually change each year in response to the changing virus pattern.

    For 2026 programme, the influenza strains included in the vaccine we offer are:

    • A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus

    • A/Singapore/GP20238/2024 (H3N2)-like virus

    • B/Austria/1359471/2021-like virus

    • B/Phuket/3073/2013-like strain

  • Please ensure you read the factsheet and consent form prior to getting vaccinated.

  • Like most medicines, vaccines can sometimes cause reactions. These are usually mild, and not everyone will get them. Mild reactions are normal and shows that your immune system is responding to the vaccine.

    • Possible reactions

      the most common reaction to an immunisation includes:

    • a slight fever

    • pain or swelling where the needle went in.

      other common side effects of the flu vaccine include:

    • crying, being upset, and hard to settle (in babies and toddlers)

    • loss of appetite

    • aches and pains

    • headache.

    If you’re going to have any reactions, they normally happen in the first few days after getting vaccinated. The vaccine itself is gone from your body within a few hours or days.

    Serious side effects are rare. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or nurse, or call Healthline for free on 0800 611 116.

    Allergic reactions

    Serious allergic reactions are extremely rare. Only about 1 in 1 million people will experience this. Your vaccinator is well-trained and knows what to look for and can treat an allergic reaction quickly if it happens. Serious allergic reactions normally happen within the first few minutes of vaccination, this is why you need to wait for up to 15 minutes after immunisation.