Free influenza vaccine program May and June 2025

Registration

Invitations to register for the community pharmacy reimbursement program will be sent to community pharmacies with a Onelink account in April 2025. Registration to participate in the Program will close 5.00 pm on 2 May 2025.

Pharmacies without a Onelink account can apply using the Onelink account application form (external site). More information is available on the Vaccine ordering webpage.

The Department of Health will coordinate reimbursement payments to participating community pharmacies.

Claiming

From 1 May to 30 June 2025, community pharmacies in the Program can claim $19.32 per state-funded influenza vaccine administered to:

• eligible persons under the primary school influenza immunisation program (i.e., children aged 5 to 11 years not otherwise eligible for NIP-funded influenza vaccines)
• eligible persons under the Free Influenza Vaccine Program 2025 (i.e., people aged 12 – 64 years not otherwise eligible for NIP-funded influenza vaccines).

Community pharmacies participation conduct

Community pharmacies cannot:

• charge fees or additional co-payments for any vaccination administered under this program
• submit a claim for reimbursement from the department if they have already claimed reimbursement for the influenza vaccination via another program, such as the private health fund vouchers or corporate flu vaccination services
• claim reimbursement of the administration fee for people eligible for NIP-funded influenza vaccines. These reimbursements must be managed through the National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program (external site)
• claim reimbursement for influenza vaccines that have been transferred from another pharmacy.

Access to reimbursement

To access reimbursement payments, participating community pharmacies must:

• Register for the program before 5.00 pm on Friday 2 May 2025. Providers with an existing Onelink account will be emailed a registration link. Pharmacies without a Onelink account will need to email influenza.reimbursement@health.wa.gov.au to request a registration link to complete the registration before the deadline. Registration will enrol the pharmacy for both May and June reimbursements
• Have a valid Onelink account to order vaccines
• Order and administer state-funded influenza vaccines
• Report via the REDCap form, and upload a reimbursement invoice for, the number of influenza vaccines administered to eligible people in each month:
• Before 5.00 pm Tuesday 10 June 2025 for those administered to eligible people in May 2025
• Before 5.00 pm Tuesday 8 July 2025 for those administered to eligible people in June 2025.

Reimbursement claims will be cross-referenced against Onelink vaccine order records. Claims for more than the number of vaccines ordered will delay processing and may result in non-payment.

Note: Records of influenza vaccines administered during the month of May and June using state-funded stock must be maintained by the provider in the event of a WA Department of Health audit. Records must include the age of recipient, vaccine brand, date of vaccine administration, and AIR provider number.

Any reimbursement claims are subject to review, and the department reserves the right to audit and reject any claims for reimbursement. The department may audit any participating pharmacy to reconcile amounts paid with the individual pharmacy administration records or any other means deemed appropriate and lawful.

Registration

Invitations to register for the corporate vaccination service (CVS) providers reimbursement program will be sent to CVS providers with a Onelink account in April 2025. Registration to participate in the program will close 5.00 pm on 2 May 2025.

CVS providers without a Onelink account can apply for an account using the Onelink account application form (external site). More information is available on the Vaccine ordering webpage. The department will coordinate reimbursement payments to participating CVS providers.

Claiming

From 1 May to 30 June 2025, corporate vaccination service providers in the program can claim $19.32 per state-funded influenza vaccine administered to:

• eligible persons under the Free Influenza Vaccine Program from 1 May to 30 June 2025 (i.e., people aged 12 to 64 years not otherwise eligible for NIP-funded influenza vaccines).

Corporate vaccination service providers participation conduct

Corporate vaccination service providers cannot:

• charge fees or additional co-payments for any vaccination administered under this program
• claim reimbursement of the administration fee for people eligible for NIP-funded influenza vaccines.

Access to reimbursement

To access reimbursement payments, participating corporate vaccination service providers must:

• Register for the Program before 5.00 pm on Friday 2 May 2025. Providers with an existing Onelink account will be emailed a registration link. CVS providers without a Onelink account will need to email influenza.reimbursement@health.wa.gov.au to request a registration link to complete the registration before the deadline. Registration will enrol the CVS providers for both May and June reimbursements
• Have a valid Onelink account to order vaccines
• Report via the REDCap form, and upload a reimbursement invoice for, the number of influenza vaccines administered to eligible people in each month:
• Before 5.00 pm Tuesday 10 June 2025 for those administered to eligible people in May 2025
• Before 5.00 pm Tuesday 8 July 2025 for those administered to eligible people in June 2025.

Reimbursement claims will be cross-referenced against Onelink vaccine order records. Claims for more than the number of vaccines ordered will delay processing and may result in non-payment.

Note: Records of influenza vaccines administered during the month of May and June using state-funded stock must be maintained by the provider in the event of a WA Department of Health audit. Records must include the age of recipient, vaccine brand, date of vaccine administration, and AIR provider number.

Any reimbursement claims are subject to review, and the WA Department of Health reserves the right to audit and reject any claims for reimbursement. The department may audit any participating CVS provider to reconcile amounts paid with the individual CVS provider administration records or any other means deemed appropriate and lawful.

Who can access a free influenza vaccination during May and June 2025?

Eligible people under the Free Influenza Vaccine Program from 1 May to 30 June 2025 are:

• children aged 5 to 11 years not otherwise eligible for NIP funded influenza vaccines (primary school influenza immunisation program)
• people aged 12 to64 years, not otherwise eligible for NIP funded influenza vaccines.

Can NIP funded influenza vaccines be used for people eligible for the Free Influenza Vaccine Program and vice versa?

No. NIP-funded influenza vaccines can only be used for NIP eligible people, in accordance with the current WA Immunisation Schedule. Influenza stock ordered through the Free Influenza Vaccine Program (i.e. FluQuadri) should be used for those not eligible for NIP funded influenza vaccines.

Do people have to be a WA resident to qualify for a free vaccine in May and June 2025?

No. This program is available to everyone in WA including interstate or international visitors.

Are non-Medicare card holders able to access a free vaccine in May and June 2025?

Yes. Everyone over the age of 6 months can access a free influenza vaccine, including those who do not have a Medicare card.

My service provides immunisation services but is not a community pharmacy or corporate vaccination service. Can I seek reimbursement for administering influenza vaccines in May and June 2025?

No. The reimbursement program is only available to community pharmacies and corporate vaccination service providers registered for the program.

Can my service claim reimbursement for privately purchased influenza vaccines administered in May and June 2025?

No. The reimbursement program does not reimburse for privately purchased influenza vaccines. Participating providers can order state funded influenza vaccines through Onelink (external site).

Can I charge the patient a fee for the influenza vaccination service?

No. Community pharmacies and corporate vaccination service providers are NOT permitted to charge the patient any fees under this program. If you claim or receive a payment for an influenza service through other means (e.g. private health fund voucher or corporate-flu vaccination) you can NOT claim remuneration under this program.

Do all pharmacies have to participate in the program?

No. Participation in the program is optional. PBS and non-PBS pharmacies can participate. Pharmacies wishing to participate and receive reimbursement for vaccine administration must register for the reimbursement program.

Are people aged 65 years and over eligible to receive free influenza vaccine under this program?

No. Patients aged 65 years and over are eligible for a Fluad Quad vaccine under the NIP and reimbursement for administration costs can be claimed through the National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (external site) (NIPVIP) program. The NIPVIP program is separate to the Free Influenza Vaccine Program which runs from 1 May to 30 June 2025.

I have accidentally reported my reimbursement claim incorrectly, can this be adjusted?

Yes. Please email the correct details to influenza.reimbursement@health.wa.gov.au and we will make the necessary adjustments to your form.

Will the program be audited?

The department retains the right to audit participating pharmacies and corporate vaccination service providers and order them to repay or take other actiondeemed appropriate.