ACHOO - This year's flu vaccine will be available from mid April.
TWO new deadly strains of influenza will be included in this year's flu vaccine.
The quadrivalent vaccines will cover two A strains (Michigan and Hong Kong) and two B strains (Brisbane and Phuket), as recommended by the World Health Organisation.
The public can access the vaccines from mid April and is free for at-risk groups through the National Immunisation Program.
About 5000 hospitalisations and 170 deaths are caused by the flu each year in Australia.
The most common groups affected include young children, pregnant women and older adults.
Getting the vaccine in April allows protection from the flu to develop well ahead of the peak season in August.
- Details www.immunise.health.gov.au
