Armidale Pharmacist Tim Kim said while it was always important for people in certain age groups, and with certain medical conditions to be vaccinated for influenza, the emergence of COVID-19 made it more important.
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"Influenza can lead to different complications, especially for people with low immune systems from other chronic medical conditions, so in order to prevent that it is very important that people get the flue shots," he said.
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"As with last year, there will be a flu shot this year that is preferable for people over 65.
"There are criteria where people can get a free flue vaccination from their doctors as well. So, we often recommend people to check with their doctor about if they are eligible, and what they should be getting."
Mr Kim said the while the flu shot would not protect against the COVID-19 virus, it should make diagnosis of ill patients easier.
Seqirus Australia welcomed the listing of FLUAD Quad onto the 2020 National Immunisation Program for adults aged 65 and older.
It is a a four strain (quadrivalent) inactivated flu vaccine that works by causing your body to produce its own antibodies against the four types of influenza virus that are in the vaccine and Australia is the first country in the world to offer this vaccine.
The vaccine contains an adjuvant, a substance that facilitates the body's antibody production process. Adjuvanted vaccines are sometimes used for older adults as the effectiveness of the immune system decreases with age.
Influenza can have a substantial negative impact on adults 65 years and older with higher hospitalisation and death rates compared to younger, healthier adults.
Between 1997 and 2016, 80 per cent of influenza reported deaths in Australia were in people aged 65 and over.
Seqirus is a CSL company and proudly Australian owned, operating Australia's only onshore influenza vaccine manufacturing site.
