About 600,000 South Australians are eligible for a free flu vaccine through the National Immunisation Program.

This includes people aged 65 years and over, pregnant women, children aged six months to less than five years of age, all Aboriginal people from six months of age and people with certain medical conditions.

The first supplies of the free flu vaccine, specifically for people aged 65 and over, have been delivered by SA Health to GP clinics, pharmacies and other immunisation providers across the state.

Free vaccines for others will be delivered from the end of this month.

Influenza disease can be severe, causing death or serious illness requiring hospitalisation, and therefore it is important that people in the most vulnerable groups are vaccinated ahead of the winter season.

Already this year there have been 2025 cases of influenza notified in South Australia - up from 1469 at the same time last year.

Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier encouraged all South Australians to plan now to get vaccinated.

"Prevention is always better than cure and this certainly is the case for influenza," Prof Spurrier said.

"If you are over 65 you should ring your usual immunisation provider to confirm that you can make a booking now. Parents, please start planning to have your little ones vaccinated – their vaccine will be here soon."

Prof Spurrier also urged immunisation providers to let their higher-risk patients know they were eligible for a free flu vaccination.

Symptoms of flu include a rapid onset of fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea in children.

While many people recover within a week, cough and fatigue may last longer. In those most at risk influenza can cause serious illness, complications and hospitalisation, and sadly even death.

Delivery of vaccines - which are adjusted each season to protect against new strains - is timed to ensure South Australians can be vaccinated and protected ahead of the peak months of flu season, usually between June and September.

Since 2022, pharmacies have been able to administer the free flu vaccine for South Australians aged 65 and over and other vulnerable groups (except children under 5) under the National Immunisation Program.

Last year, South Australia’s flu vaccine uptake was above the national average and the highest of any mainland state, with nearly 35 per cent of all South Australians receiving a flu jab.

To learn more visit www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/flu (external site)