Prescriptions & Vaccinations
Receive trusted, professional healthcare at Chemist King. We provide a broad range of convenient and affordable in-store services, including vaccinations, treatment for everyday conditions, medication management, electronic prescriptions, work absence certificates, and more.
Our approachable pharmacists are committed to supporting your health with personalised advice and expert care. Visit us online or in store to keep your health on track.
All you need to know about the 2026 flu shot
The flu is the most common vaccine-preventable illness in Australia.
It is a highly contagious viral infection. While symptoms may be mild for some people, influenza can cause serious illness, hospitalisation and even death — including in otherwise healthy individuals. It is particularly dangerous for babies, adults over 65 years, pregnant women, and people with underlying medical conditions.
Vaccination is a safe and effective way to help protect yourself from the flu. By getting vaccinated, you also help protect those who are too young or too unwell to be vaccinated, reducing the spread of the virus within the community.
It is important to receive a flu vaccine every year. Influenza virus strains change annually, and the vaccine is updated each year to match the strains most likely to circulate.
At Chemist King, we will be using the 2026 trivalent flu vaccine for our vaccination service from mid-March, when the new season’s vaccine becomes available.
What flu vaccinations are available in 2026?
In Australia in 2026, several types of flu vaccines will be available.
Since 2016, quadrivalent vaccines have protected against four influenza strains (two A strains and two B strains). However, as one of the B strains has not circulated in the community since 2020, Australia will return to trivalent vaccines in 2026. These vaccines protect against the three strains expected to circulate most widely this season.
Traditionally, most flu vaccines have been produced using viruses grown in hens’ eggs. In 2021, cell-based flu vaccines became available in Australia. When viruses are grown in eggs, they can develop egg-adapted changes. Cell-based vaccines are grown in mammalian cells instead, avoiding these changes and potentially offering a closer match to circulating strains. This may improve effectiveness. Cell-based vaccines can also be manufactured more quickly and are not dependent on egg supply. In 2026, Chemist King Discount Pharmacy will be offering cell-based flu vaccines.
For adults over 60, a high-dose flu vaccine is available. The higher dose is designed to produce a stronger immune response, providing improved protection for older adults who are at greater risk of serious illness and complications from influenza.
An adjuvanted flu vaccine is also recommended for people aged 65 years and over. An adjuvant is an added ingredient that enhances the body’s immune response to the vaccine.
When should I get vaccinated?
The ideal time to receive your flu vaccination is before the flu season begins, while ensuring protection lasts through the peak period. In Australia, vaccination is generally recommended from April to mid-June, as flu cases most commonly peak in August. However, the exact timing of the season can vary each year.
If you’re unsure about timing or vaccine type, remember that the most important step in reducing your risk of flu is getting vaccinated.
Visit your local Chemist King Discount Pharmacy to learn more or to book your flu vaccination.
Administered by qualified pharmacist immunisers. Available at selected pharmacies from mid-March.
$24.99 (Standard egg-based trivalent^) fee applies.
^Standard egg-based trivalent #Eligibility as per the National Immunisation Program and/or other government funded program as per availability to be administered in each state and/or territory.
Who should get a flu shot?
Annual vaccination against the flu is recommended for everyone over 6 months of age.
Who is eligible for a free flu shot at Chemist King in March?
The Australian Government's National Immunisation Program provides a free flu vaccine to eligible people, including:
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People aged 65 and older
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Pregnant women
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All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 10 years and older
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People aged 10 years and older with medical conditions that put them at risk of complications from the flu
Vaccine cost is covered by the National Immunisation Program (NIP) and specific State/Territory immunisation programs. Please note, stock can be limited, and not all pharmacies or pharmacist immunisers will have access to these free vaccines at the time of your appointment. If you believe you may be eligible for a free vaccine, it is recommended that you speak with your pharmacist prior to making your appointment to confirm availability of the free vaccine.
We may disclose your personal information to third parties for a purpose directly related to your vaccine administration. This includes (but is not limited to) disclosure of your personal information to the Australian Immunisation Register, Medicare, medical personnel who are the service providers of the immunisation, other third parties as required by law. We may use and disclose your personal information to third parties to assist in contact tracing and the management of the Coronavirus pandemic by health officials. This includes (but is not limited to) providing your personal information to the relevant departments of health (or similar government bodies or organisations). We may additionally use and disclose your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy which can be found here.
General information only. This information does not replace the information provided by your healthcare professional. Information current as at date of publishing. Report any errors to marketing@chemistking.com.au
Click on the links to book a vaccination at your nearest Chemist King pharmacy.
Chemist King Colonel Light Gardens
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