Vaccination Update: A Focus on Queensland Seniors

Communicable Diseases Branch, Population Health Division | Queensland Health

National data are showing fewer influenza cases recorded compared to the same period last year. Now is the time for medical practitioners to continue to vaccinate and protect patients ahead of a winter peak.

Compared to previous years, fewer people in the 65 years and over group have been vaccinated for flu. This group should remain a strong focus for encouraging uptake of flu vaccination, given their higher risk of severe illness and hospitalisation from acute respiratory infection.

In addition to influenza vaccination, COVID-19, RSV and pneumococcal vaccinations are also recommended and funded to prevent respiratory illness in older Queenslanders.

A clear recommendation from a trusted health professional to be vaccinated remains one of the strongest predictors of vaccination uptake. Queensland Health advises doctors continue to:

share your knowledge about the benefits of vaccination and recommend vaccination for individual protection and for protection of family and loved ones
undertake opportunistic reviews of vaccination status at routine visits and administer or refer for recommended vaccinations
consider vaccination ahead of surgical procedures / hospital admissions / transition to residential aged care
identify patients with chronic disease or immunocompromise who may be eligible for vaccination
discuss co-administration of influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumococcal vaccines where appropriate.

Influenza

Until 30 September 2026, all Queenslanders 6 months of age and over are eligible for free influenza vaccination.

Vaccination against influenza is particularly important for people aged 65 years and over as this group are more vulnerable to severe disease. Fluad® vaccine is funded under National Immunisation Program (NIP) for people in this age group.

RSV

From May 2026, the following groups became eligible for funded RSV vaccine (Arexvy brand only) under the NIP:

all adults aged 75 years and over
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 60 years and over.

A single dose is funded for those eligible under the NIP. There are currently no clinical recommendations to support subsequent doses. If an individual has received vaccination with a privately purchased RSV vaccine prior to its addition under the NIP, there is no need for an additional dose.

More information about RSV vaccination can be found online in the Australian Immunisation Handbook and on the Queensland Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prevention Program webpage.

COVID-19

COVID-19 vaccination remains important in reducing the risk of severe illness, particularly for higher-risk patients and older people. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for:

people aged 65 to 74 years every 12 months
people aged 75 years and over every 6 months.

Queensland and Australian data show that having the recommended COVID-19 vaccines keeps older people out of hospital if they get infected with COVID-19.

More information on the current advice for COVID-19 boosters can be found online in the Australian Immunisation Handbook and on the COVID-19 vaccine advice and recommendations webpage.

Pneumococcal

From 1 July 2026, changes to the NIP adult pneumococcal schedule include:

transition from the current two-vaccine adult schedule using 13vPCV and 23vPPV, to a single vaccine approach.
21vPCV (Capvaxive®) will be funded for:
- adults with at-risk medical conditions aged 18 years and over
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 25 years and over
- all adults aged 65 years and over.

The new adult 21vPCV program, in addition to the 20vPCV paediatric program, will provide broader serotype coverage overall, and substantially simplify the schedule for providers.

More information relating to this change is available online in the Australian Immunisation Handbook and on the Adult pneumococcal vaccination – Program advice for health professionals webpage.

Shingles

In addition to the vaccinations recommended for seniors to protect against acute respiratory infections, shingles vaccination is funded under the NIP for protection against serious disease.

A two-dose course of Shingrix® is available for:

people aged 65 years and over and for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and over.

Emerging research suggests shingles vaccination may also offer protection from both the onset and progression of dementia.

More information about shingles vaccination is available online in the Australian Immunisation Handbook and Australian Government Shingles Vaccine webpage.

Further information

Queensland Health’s Flu 2026 communication campaign is now active, supported by the Flu 2026 Stakeholder Communication Toolkit. Resources include updated patient messaging templates and downloadable posters and practice resources.

Additional information and helpful resources are available online:

Influenza product selection guide
2026 influenza vaccination advice
GP Influenza reimbursement form
Updated Queensland Health guidance is available to support practices with billing, claiming and stock management throughout the influenza season.

Refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook and Australian Government COVID-19 vaccine advice for current vaccine recommendations.