What's New With Winter Vaccines in 2026

Winter 2026 comes with some meaningful vaccine news, particularly if you are over 60, over 65, or if you have older parents or grandparents you look out for.

Two vaccines have been added to the National Immunisation Program this year for older Australians. One is already available. One starts on 1 July. Here is what they are, who they are for, and what you need to do. And if you are thinking about your overall health this winter, it is also worth reading about mental health in winter and what to look out for this time of year.

The flu shot: still the one to start with

If you have not had your flu vaccine yet this year, now is the time. The 2026 flu vaccine has been updated to cover the strains currently circulating, including the H3N2 variant that caused an unusually early season this year.

The flu vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for:

• Everyone aged 65 and over
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from 6 months of age
• Pregnant women
• Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
• People with certain chronic health conditions

For everyone else, the vaccine is available privately and is typically low in cost. It takes about a fortnight to take full effect, so the sooner you get it, the better placed you are heading into the coldest months. You can read more about childhood immunisations if you are also thinking about your kids this season.

Flu vaccine appointments at Crown West Medical are bulk billed.

RSV vaccine: newly free from May 2026

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is something most people associate with babies and young children. But it can be serious in older adults too, causing lower respiratory tract infections that can lead to hospitalisation, particularly in people aged 75 and over.

Until this year, the RSV vaccine cost around $300 out of pocket, which put it out of reach for many people. From 15 May 2026, the RSV vaccine (Arexvy) is free under the National Immunisation Program for:

• All adults aged 75 and over
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 60 and over

This earlier eligibility age for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults reflects the fact that the health burden of RSV in this population tends to occur at a younger age than in the general population.

This is a single dose that provides protection for at least two RSV seasons, so it is not an annual vaccine like the flu shot. Current guidance does not recommend revaccination yet, though this will be updated as more data becomes available.

If you are between 60 and 74 and not Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, the vaccine is available privately. It is worth a conversation with your GP about whether it makes sense for your situation, particularly if you have underlying respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.

RSV typically peaks in winter in NSW, so if you are eligible and have not had it yet, booking soon makes practical sense.

Capvaxive: a new pneumococcal vaccine from 1 July 2026

Capvaxive is a pneumococcal vaccine, meaning it protects against pneumococcal disease, a bacterial infection that can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections. It replaces the older pneumococcal vaccines (Prevenar 13 and Pneumovax 23) on the National Immunisation Program for adults and covers more strains than the vaccines it replaces.

From 1 July 2026, Capvaxive is free under the National Immunisation Program for:

• Adults aged 65 and over
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 25 and over
• Adults aged 18 and over with certain medical conditions that increase the risk of severe disease

Again, the lower eligibility age for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults reflects a higher burden of pneumococcal disease in this population at younger ages.

One important note: if you have had a previous pneumococcal vaccine, you will need to wait at least 12 months before receiving Capvaxive. Your GP can check your vaccination history and advise whether you are due and whether any timing considerations apply.

Can you get multiple vaccines at once?

Yes. The flu vaccine, RSV vaccine, and Capvaxive can all be co-administered, meaning they can be given on the same day without any known reduction in effectiveness or increase in side effects beyond what you might expect from each vaccine individually. If you are eligible for more than one, it is entirely reasonable to book a single appointment and get them all sorted at once.

How to know what you need

The easiest way to sort this out is to book a vaccination review with your GP. They can check your vaccination history, confirm what you are now eligible for under the National Immunisation Program, and work through any timing requirements that apply to your situation. You can read more about our approach to preventative health if you want to think about this more broadly.

Staying up to date with vaccinations is one of the more straightforward things you can do for your health as you get older. These new additions to the program mean more protection is now available at no cost for many Australians, and winter is the right time to act on it.

Book online at HotDoc or call Crown West Medical on (02) 4228 4155. Mention the vaccine updates when you call and we will make sure your appointment is set up appropriately.