In Australia, seasonal influenza (flu) is the second most common vaccine-preventable disease contributing to hospitalisation. First Nations people are more likely to experience severe influenza.
Vaccination providers have an important role to play by offering and recommending the influenza vaccine. The vaccine is available under the National Immunisation Program to all First Nations people aged 6 months and over.
New resources are available to help vaccination providers have culturally appropriate and supportive conversations about influenza vaccination with First Nations families. While the new resources focus on influenza vaccination, you can apply the conversation principles to other vaccinations. The new resources have been developed as part of the Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) communication package to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The resources include:
- Talking about flu vaccination with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families - conversation guide
- summary of vaccination communication resources
- Flu Vaccine Information Sheet.
Use these resources and other helpful links through the following webpage: Supporting conversations about vaccinations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait people.
More influenza vaccination resources are available
- 2023 Influenza vaccination - Program advice for vaccination providers
- Fighting flu starts with you - Consumer fact sheet
- Fighting flu starts with you - 2023 influenza poster
- Flu in kids can be serious - 2023 influenza poster for kids under 5
- Let's keep our mob safe from flu - 2023 influenza poster for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Ask about the flu vaccine today - eligibility through the National Immunisation Program
