Comparing the inactivated influenza vaccine with the live attenuated vaccine

• ≥6 months

• 2 to <18 years

• Inactivated influenza virus, split virion or subunit formulations
• Trivalent – type A (H1N1), type A (H3N2) and type B (Victoria)

• Live, contains weakened strains of the flu virus
• Trivalent – type A (H1N1), type A (H3N2) and type B (Victoria)

• Intramuscular injection, can be given subcutaneously
• Can be co-administered with live and non-live vaccines

• Administered intranasally as 2 sprays, one in each nostril
• Can be co-administered with live and non-live vaccines

• One annual dose is recommended for most people
• Two doses (4 weeks apart) are recommended for:
  • healthy children aged 6 months to <2 years of age who are receiving influenza vaccine for first time
  • children aged 6 months to <9 years of age with medical risk conditions receiving influenza vaccine for the first time
  • people of any age receiving influenza vaccine for the first time after a haematopoietic stem cell transplant, solid organ transplant or chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy

• One annual dose is recommended for most people
• Two doses (4 weeks apart) are recommended for children aged 2 years to <9 years of age who have medical risk conditions not contraindicated to LAIV and who are receiving influenza vaccine for the first time

• The most common mild adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) are injection site reactions, fever and headache

• The most common AEFI are nasal and throat symptoms 

• Anaphylaxis to a previous dose of any influenza vaccine
• Anaphylaxis after receipt of any component of an influenza vaccine

• Contraindicated for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. Use inactivated influenza vaccine instead.
• Anaphylaxis to a previous dose of any influenza vaccine
• Anaphylaxis after receipt of any component of an influenza vaccine

• 50%~65% effective in healthy individuals, including young children

• 50%–65% effective in young children

National Immunisation Program funding is available for:

• all children aged ≥6 months to <5 years
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged ≥6 months 
• all children aged ≥6 months who have specified medical risk conditions

Not National Immunisation Program funded. 

Funded by state/territory governments in:

• NSW and SA for children aged 2 to <5 years
• Qld for children aged 2 to 5 years (inclusive)
• WA for children aged 2 to <12 years

Individual prescription available in all states and territories.