Bellarine Village
Shop 5, 25-29 Bellarine Hwy, Newcomb
PH: 03 5248 1501
April and May is the time to book in both your flu and COVID-19 booster vaccinations for the coming winter season. These seasonal vaccinations are essential not just for your own health but also for the well-being of your family, friends and loved ones.
Immunisation against the flu is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.
Our Pharmacist Immunisers can vaccinate all people aged 5 years and over in store at your local Community Care Chemist.
Bookings are recommended for flu vaccinations. Bookings can be made online with your preferred Community Care Chemist location via our bookings page. You can also make a booking when you are next in store or over the phone.
The flu vaccine is free for eligible people under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
Eligible groups serviced under NIP by Community Care Chemist include;
For people not eligible for a free flu vaccination under the National Immunisation Program, a flu vaccination can be purchased from Community Care Chemist, without the need for a prescription.
Yes! There are no out of pocket expenses* for GMHBA members receiving their flu vaccination at Community Care Chemist.
Simply quote your member number in store.
*GMHBA Members must hold an active policy and be ineligible for the National Immunisation Program for flu vaccinations. Offer valid until 31 July or while vaccine stock lasts.
Some Geelong workplaces partner with Community Care Chemist to provide flu vaccination to for their employees, refer to instructions from your employer on how to claim your employer subsidised flu vaccine instore.
Looking to join our Corporate Vaccination Program? We’d love to work with you!
On site, visiting Pharmacist Immuniser sessions or in store employee flu vaccination options are available.
Your flu vaccination at Community Care Chemist is administered by a Pharmacist Immuniser, a registered pharmacist who has completed a recognised immuniser program of study.
For more information about Pharmacist Immunisers visit the Victorian Department of Health.
Yearly vaccination before the onset of each flu season is recommended. In Victoria, flu season generally occurs from June to September.
Recent evidence suggests optimal protection against the flu occurs within the first 3-4 months following vaccination. So, that’s why it’s recommended to get your flu shot from April onwards.
It is important to note that, it is never too late to vaccinate as influenza can circulate in the community all year round.
In most cases, yes. If you’re travelling overseas this winter, we recommend a pre-travel consultation with one of our trained pharmacists so you can receive tailored advice including:
Yes. The flu vaccine can be co-administered (that is, given on the same day, one after the other) with other vaccines. This includes COVID-19, whooping cough, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pneumococcal vaccines.
Speak to your local pharmacy to discuss your options for co-administered vaccines.
Flu viruses change every year because the flu virus has a unique ability to change its surface structure. This means that even if you had the flu or an immunisation one year, your body’s immune system might not be able to fight the changed version of the virus that will be circulating the following year.
Each year, a new vaccine is developed and is available for those who wish to be immunised. The seasonal flu vaccine generally includes protection against up to four strains of influenza viruses.
No, the flu vaccine cannot give you the flu because it does not contain live virus.
Some people may still contract the flu because the vaccine may not always protect against all strains of the influenza virus circulating in the community.
Yes, it is still possible to catch the flu, however vaccination prepares your immune system to greatly reduce the severity and length of the influenza virus.
Article content produced with thanks to Better Health Victoria and The Department of Health and Aged Care.
Copyright 2024 all Rights Reserved. website by moomedia
