Free Flu Vaccinations bookings are available between 13th April – 31st July
Free flu vaccinations are available to staff, immediate family members of staff living in the same household and all students.
In 2026 all of our vaccinations will be provided by local participating pharmacies via an Influenza Vaccination Voucher Program through our partnership with Australian Vaccine Services (AVS).
The Voucher Program process is different from previous years arrangements.
Please read and follow each booking step carefully.
How to book?
Step 1: Voucher registration
Open the AVS online registration portal and:
- Enter your postcode to select a pharmacy to use
- Click 'Order Voucher'
- Enter your personal details, your UTAS email address and your Employee ID
- If required, you can order vouchers for your family members in the same registration
- Click 'Order'
Step 2: Voucher receipt
Once your registration is complete you will receive an email with:
- Your unique voucher code
- A link to your selected pharmacy booking system
- Instructions on how to book your vaccination
Step 3: Appointment booking
Use the link to the pharmacy booking system to book directly with a local pharmacy from your selected pharmacy network.
Choose a location and time to suit you.
Step 4: Vaccination
Ensure you take your voucher code and Medicare card to the appointment.
If you need to cancel or change your booking you can follow the instructions in the email sent to you.
Please remember to take your Voucher Code and Medicare Card with you to your appointment
Frequently asked questions
- Staff can book a free vaccination for your immediate family members - that is for family members living in the same household as you.
- The voucher registration process will allow you to make multiple bookings under your email address and Staff ID number.
- While most pharmacists can provide vaccinations to people 5 years of age you may need to phone your chosen pharmacist to check if your child is between 5 - 10 years of age.
- Please note that children under 5 can get a free vaccine through the National Immunisation Program.
International staff and students who do not have Medicare cards will still have their vaccinations uploaded to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). International staff and students can apply for an Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) for access to My Health Record and visibility of your vaccination history.
More information on the Services Australia website.
As with all vaccination providers, the pharmacist is required to make a final assessment of your eligibility to receive an influenza vaccination on the day of your appointment.
This will include completing the pre-screening process and gaining your consent to complete the vaccination service.
In addition, as at other vaccination clinics, the pharmacist will request that you remain in the pharmacy for 15 minutes to monitor you for side effects from the vaccination.
Your vaccination details will be uploaded to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
Australian Vaccine Services recognises the importance of protecting participant information and maintaining compliance with Australian privacy legislation.
The AVS voucher platform has been designed with appropriate security and privacy controls to ensure participant data is managed securely and responsibly. The data collected is used solely for the purpose of issuing vaccination vouchers, validating eligibility and providing program reporting to the University of Tasmania.
The influenza vaccine has been around for many decades and has a great safety record. Common side effects from the vaccine include mild pain, redness or swelling where the vaccine was given. These side effects usually last for a few days and go away without any treatment.
Serious side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction are rare.
The vaccine does not contain live influenza viruses and cannot cause influenza.
People with an egg allergy, including history of anaphylaxis can safely receive all influenza vaccines. If you have an egg allergy, please discuss this with your health professional. Source: 2024 Influenza (flu) vaccination – Consumer fact sheet (health.gov.au) (PDF).
For More information visit the Australian Government Influenza (flu) vaccine site
More information
People who may be at greater risk of severe illness from the flu
The Australian Government’s National Immunisation Program (NIP) also provides a free flu vaccine available through General Practitioners(GPs) and most pharmacies to people who may be at greater risk of severe illness from the flu. This includes:
- People aged 65 and older
- Pregnant women
- All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months or over
- All people over 6 months of age with chronic medical conditions (including severe asthma, diabetes
If you are in one of these groups, it is recommended that you speak with your General Practitioner (GP) about a flu vaccination.
Children under 5 years of age
It is recommended that you speak with your General Practitioner (GP) about a flu vaccination for children under 5 years of age.
Aged 65 and over
If you are 65 years of age or older, it is recommended that you receive the recommended Trivalent Influenza vaccine (TIV). This vaccine can only be provided by your GP and is not available in the University Flu Program.