Two vaccines get overlooked by adults for very different reasons. The flu shot gets skipped because “I never really get that sick.” HPV vaccination gets skipped because most people assume it’s something that only happens at school. Neither assumption holds up well.
Flu vaccination: not just a winter formality
Australia’s flu season generally runs from April through October, with activity typically peaking in the winter months. Every year, the vaccine formulation is updated to match the strains expected to circulate — which is exactly why “I had one last year” doesn’t cover you this year.
For CBD workers in particular, flu vaccination is worth taking seriously. Offices, public transport, and shared spaces are exactly the conditions flu spreads well in, and a week knocked out sick has a real cost — to your health, and to whatever you were supposed to be doing that week.
A few things worth knowing:
- Vaccination is recommended annually for all adults who want protection, not just those considered high-risk.
- Some adults are eligible for a free flu vaccine under state or national programs depending on age and health status — ask your GP whether you qualify.
- If you’re not eligible for a free dose, it’s available privately through your GP.
- There’s no perfect day to get it, but earlier in the season is better than later — it takes time for protection to build after vaccination, and you want that protection in place before activity picks up, not after.
HPV vaccination: it’s not just a teenage vaccine
HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination is best known as something delivered to students in early high school — and for good reason, since vaccinating before exposure to the virus gives the strongest protection. But that doesn’t mean the door closes the moment you leave school.
If you missed it as a teenager, you may still have options:
- Free catch-up doses are available for eligible people up to their mid-to-late twenties under the National Immunisation Program, though the exact cut-off can vary — your GP can confirm your eligibility.
- Outside the free catch-up window, HPV vaccination is still available privately through your GP if it’s clinically appropriate for you.
- HPV vaccination doesn’t replace cervical screening — the two work together, not as substitutes for each other.
If you’re not sure whether you were fully vaccinated at school, or you simply don’t remember, that’s a completely normal thing to raise with your GP. Checking your immunisation history is quick, and there’s no downside to asking.
Where this fits into your general health routine
Neither of these vaccinations needs a special appointment type — both can be discussed and delivered as part of a standard GP consultation. If you’re already coming in for something else, it’s worth asking your GP whether you’re due for either.
Book your vaccination appointment
Melbourne Medical & Wellness Centre offers flu and HPV vaccination as part of our general practice services at 2/16 Liverpool Street, Melbourne VIC 3000. Book online via HotDoc or call us on 03 9121 8480.
This article is general health information and doesn’t replace personalised medical advice. Your eligibility for free vaccination programs depends on your individual circumstances — speak with one of our GPs to confirm what applies to you.