Adult Vaccinations 101: What Shire Families Need to Know for 2026
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Flu season is here. Discover which adult vaccinations are recommended in 2026, from trivalent flu shots to shingles and whooping cough boosters at FMP.
Is Your Protection Up to Date? A Friendly Guide to Adult Boosters
As the mornings get a little crispier and we start reaching for the puffer jackets, there’s one topic that always does the rounds at our clinics: the "flu shot." But while influenza is the headline act of autumn, there’s actually a whole supporting cast of adult vaccinations that often get overlooked.
We’re all amazing at keeping our kids’ blue books up to date, but somewhere between school runs and work deadlines, our own boosters tend to fall off the to-do list. Let’s look at what the 2026 season looks like for the adults in the house.
The 2026 Flu Season: What’s New?
This year, you might notice something different about the flu vaccine. Following the latest global data, Australia has moved to a trivalent vaccine (protecting against three strains) because one particular strain of the virus—the B/Yamagata lineage—is now considered extinct. Science in action!
At Family Medical Practices, we’ve already started our 2026 rollout. If you’re over 65, you’ll receive a specific "adjuvanted" vaccine (Fluad®) designed to give your immune system a bit more of a kick-start. For the rest of the family, including those with medical conditions like severe asthma or diabetes, the vaccine is government-funded under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
The Boosters We Often Forget
Vaccines aren't just a "one and done" childhood event. Here are three others we often chat about with our patients in Kirrawee and Woolooware:
- Whooping Cough (Pertussis): If you’re a new grandparent or expecting a little one, this is a must. Protection fades over time, so a booster every 10 years ensures you aren't unknowingly passing this nasty cough to vulnerable infants.
- Shingles: If you’re 65 or older, you’re eligible for the Shingrix vaccine. Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox, and trust us—it’s much easier to prevent the rash than it is to treat it.
- Tetanus: Most of us only think about tetanus after a run-in with a rusty garden stake. However, a routine booster every 10 years is recommended for all adults to keep your immunity levels where they should be.
Why Book in April?
It takes about two weeks for your body to build up full protection after a shot. By getting sorted now, you’re hitting peak immunity just as the winter bugs start making their way through the Shire schools and offices.
