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Recommended vaccines available at Boroondara

It's recommended that older adults be vaccinated against influenza, whooping cough and tetanus.

These vaccines are available at convenient locations around the City of Boroondara.

Flu vaccine

A yearly influenza (flu) vaccination is recommended for older people. They have a higher risk of being hospitalised from the flu and are more likely to die of complications like pneumonia.

Flu vaccines are free for:

  • people aged 65 years and older
  • Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people
  • those with an underlying medical condition (for example serious respiratory disease, diabetes and cardiac disease). Talk to your doctor to find out if you are eligible.

Peak flu season is from June to September. We recommend getting your flu vaccine in May each year but it's never too late in the year to get it.

Find out more about flu immunisation.

Whooping cough vaccine

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory infection that often causes repeated violent bouts of coughing that can last for 2 months or more. Young babies are at a high risk of death from whooping cough and more than half of babies who catch whooping cough catch it from a family member.

The whooping cough vaccine is recommended for:

  • people aged 65 and over who haven't been vaccinated in the last 10 years
  • grandparents or carers of infants under 6 months old (at least 2 weeks before the baby is born)
  • adults who want to reduce their chances of getting sick.

The whooping cough vaccine also includes protection against tetanus and diphtheria.

Tetanus vaccine

People aged 50 years and over are recommended to get a tetanus booster if they haven't had a vaccination that includes protection against tetanus in the last 10 years.

If you're a keen gardener and do regular pruning, planting and outdoor work around your home, you should get a tetanus booster every 10 years.

If you have an injury that's more than a minor cut, you may need a tetanus booster sooner. Please talk to your doctor for advice.

The tetanus vaccine also includes protection against diphtheria and whooping cough (pertussis).

Other recommended vaccines

Vaccines for shingles, pneumococcal disease and COVID-19 are recommended for older adults but are not available at our services. Talk to your doctor about these vaccines, as well as vaccinations to get before you travel overseas.

Shingles vaccine

Shingles (herpes zoster) happens when the chickenpox virus reactivates. It can cause severe pain that can last for months. The shingles vaccine is recommended for people aged 50 years and over. It's free for people aged 65 years or over.

Pneumococcal disease vaccine

Pneumococcal disease is an infection that can cause pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis.

COVID-19 vaccines

Coronavirus (COVID-19) can cause severe respiratory disease and sometimes death, particularly in older people. The COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for all adults.

To check your eligibility and the availability of the COVID-19 vaccines in your area, you can:


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