2026 Flu Vaccination

Western Sydney University is offering free flu vaccinations again in 2026 to support the health and wellbeing of our community during flu season.

There are two flu vaccination options available this year.

1. Western Onsite Campus Flu Vaccination Clinics (Staff Only)

Western staff can book free flu vaccination appointments at five onsite half‑day clinics across our major campuses.

Campus Date Day Room Time
Kingswood 21 April 2026 Tuesday P.G.34 11:00 – 15:00
Hawkesbury 22 April 2026 Wednesday R6.G.01 11:00 – 15:00
Parramatta South 28 April 2026 Tuesday EB.G.23 11:00 – 15:00
Campbelltown 4 May 2026 Monday 24.2.19 11:00 – 15:00
Parramatta City 4 May 2026 Monday 1.1.32 (First Aid Room) 11:00 – 15:00

Booking your appointment

To book, click the Booking Link and follow the prompts. Bookings will be scheduled sequentially with no gaps, so staff must arrive at their allocated time or may miss their flu shot. While bookings are a preference, Vitality Works may make small adjustments after booking to ensure a continuous schedule, and staff will be advised if any changes are needed.

During the booking process, you will complete an online consent form and can choose to receive a reminder by text message or email.

Please note: It is mandatory for all flu vaccinations to be registered on the Australian Immunisation Register. This means you will be asked to supply your Medicare number on your consent form. If you are not registered with Medicare you can still continue with your booking.

Pharmacy Flu Vaccination Vouchers (Staff Only)

Once all onsite clinic appointments are fully booked, Western will release a limited number of pharmacy flu vaccination vouchers (250 total) on a first‑come, first‑served basis.

Vouchers can be redeemed at participating pharmacy partners (See attached for full list of eligible partners)

2. MyHealth Medical Centre – Westmead Campus (Staff and Students)

Free flu vaccinations are also offered through the MyHealth Medical Centre located on the Westmead campus.

Important booking information

While this service is available to the Western community, MyHealth Medical Centre will begin accepting flu vaccination bookings for Western staff and students from 24 April 2026.

This staged approach helps ensure appointment availability and manageable service delivery during the early flu season.

Eligibility and cost

How to book

Once bookings open, appointments can be made directly through the MyHealth Medical Centre booking link.
For booking enquiries, MyHealth can be contacted on (02) 7246 6526.

Which option should I use?

You are welcome to choose the option that best suits your location, schedule, and accessibility needs.

For staff:

You can choose which ever clinic or service is most convenient for you, regardless of your home campus.

For students:

Need help or more information?

Please review the Frequently Asked Questions section on this page for common enquiries, including booking issues and eligibility.

If your question hasn’t been answered, contact the Safety & Wellbeing Unit at: whs@westernsydney.edu.au

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Influenza?

Influenza (the flu) is a viral infection, that is contagious and can affect people of all ages and is spread by tiny droplets of fluid containing the virus from coughs and sneezes that are in the air or can land on surfaces and be pick up by hands by anyone who touches them.

Influenza symptoms may include runny nose or blocked nose, sneezing, fever, chills, tiredness, dry or chesty cough, sore throat, headaches, aching muscles, limb or joint pain, diarrhea and loss of appetite.

Can everyone receive the flu vaccine?

Yearly influenza vaccination is recommended. You can receive an influenza vaccine at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine. If you have any of the following, please ensure you have discussed having a vaccine with your GP prior to booking in with us:

  • If you have experienced anaphylaxis after a previous dose of influenza vaccine or to any component of the vaccine.
  • If you have or have had Gillian-Barre syndrome after receiving a flu vaccine.
  • If you take medicines that may reduce your immune response, such as corticosteroids, chemotherapy, radiotherapy.
  • If you have moderate to severe illness with or without a fever.
  • If you have an egg allergy, including anaphylaxis.
What if I am over 65 years of age?
People aged 65 years and over can have a vaccine that is specifically designed to produce a higher immune response, this is available for free from your GP. VW does not supply this vaccine. Please contact your healthcare provider directly to discuss the most suitable choice for you.
Why should I have an influenza vaccine every year?
Each year the strains of influenza virus are reviewed, and the vaccines changed according to the current strains. It takes 2 weeks after the influenza vaccine to develop immunity. Protection provided by the influenza vaccine is optimal 3-4 months after vaccination. Common time of year for influenza vaccination in Australia is April or May before the peak of influenza season.
Can the flu vaccine give me the flu?
Influenza vaccines are inactivated meaning they do not contain the live flu virus, so you cannot influenza from the influenza vaccine. You may experience mild side effects after an influenza vaccine which are signs that your body is responding to the vaccine and producing antibodies against the actual disease.
What are the common side effects following flu vaccine?

These include pain, redness, swelling at injection site, occasionally an injection-site lump, mild fever, tiredness, or muscle aches.

If you experience any serious symptoms after receiving the vaccine, please contact your doctor immediately.

What strains are included in this year’s Australian flu vaccine?

For the 2026 flu season, Vitality Works is using a trivalent influenza vaccine, in line with recommendations from the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AVIC). The vaccine provides protection against the following strains:

  • A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09‑like virus
  • A/Sydney/1359/2024 (H3N2)‑like virus
  • B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)‑like virus

This change reflects current public health guidance on the most relevant circulating strains.

How do I make a booking?

To make a booking you can use the URL link here: https://vitalityworks.book.vitavo.com.au/workplace/WSU-cBg32k

Or QR code below:

Follow the prompts to create an account and make a booking. You will need your Medicare card or Individual Health Identifier (IHI) number.

Anyone over the age of 18 must give their own consent and have their own email address to make a booking.

How do I obtain my influenza certificate?
VW works will send your vaccination to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). To obtain a copy, sign in or create a myGov account at www.my.gov.au select proof of vaccination quick link – follow the prompts. If you don’t have a Medicare number use your IHI number. Children over 14 years of age need to create a separate myGov account.
Is there a limit on the number of vouchers I can download?
Yes. Due to a strict budget this year, staff can download one flu vaccination voucher only. This helps ensure vouchers remain available to as many staff members as possible.
Why do I need to check pharmacy availability before downloading my voucher?
Staff are expected to confirm that their preferred participating pharmacy has appointment availability before downloading a voucher. This is the same process you would normally follow if arranging a flu vaccination independently and helps avoid unused or incorrect vouchers.
What happens if I download the wrong voucher or can’t secure an appointment?
Vouchers cannot be replaced once downloaded. While we are only charged when a voucher is redeemed, a $1 fee applies to vouchers that are not used, so multiple downloads are discouraged. Please check pharmacy participation and availability carefully before downloading.

How to Book a Vaccination

Consumer Medicine Information [[button]]

How to Claim a Pharmacy Voucher [[button]]

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