The COVID-19 vaccine will not protect you against influenza (flu). It will be important to get a flu vaccination next flu season. Flu vaccination reduces your chances of getting influenza, which means it reduces the risk of you having influenza at the same time as a COVID-19 infection. Being vaccinated against the flu also helps to protect others, particularly people who are more vulnerable to infections (e.g. elderly people).
Safeguarding against influenza is always recommended as statistics show an average of 1,500 to 3,000 people die from influenza in Australia each year. This is much higher than those dying from COVID-19 in the country. If you get the flu, your immune system is compromised, making you much more susceptible to other infections such as COVID-19. That is why having a flu shot is more important than ever this year.