Compared to seasonal flu, swine flu has caused more hospitalisation and admissions to intensive care with viral pneumonia in adults and children under 10 years of age
Almost 75% of children hospitalised with swine flu had no underlying conditions or illness.
Because of children’s close interactions with others at childcare, preschool and school, once swine flu is in these environments it can spread quickly, affecting individuals, families and local communities.
Vaccinating school age children against swine flu will protect the child and help reduce the chance of school based outbreaks.
The swine flu vaccine is free and available to everyone in Australia, including children from six months of age.
Babies cannot be vaccinated against swine flu. To protect them, parents should vaccinate themselves (and others around them).
For more information on the swine flu vaccine for children, see the Kids Vaccine Q&A.
Get your FREE* vaccine
Vaccinations are available from a range of locations, including GP practices, vaccination clinics, hospitals and health centres.
