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NURSE: "My name is [inaudible]. Welcome to the clinic today."
Last year, this clinic at Sydney University was in full swing, vaccinating clients for influenza.
It was an intense influenza season, with close to 300,000 cases, and at least 370 flu-related deaths across Australia.
This year, G-Ps and clinics across the country are once again getting ready.
And so is Federal Parliament House in Canberra.
Health Minister Mark Butler has been among a group of M-Ps to receive a dose of a new vaccine called Flucelvax Quad.
Flucelvax Quad is a cell-based vaccine which has been listed on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for the first time.
Infectious diseases expert Dr Robert Booy [[boy]] says this new formula is different to existing ones.
"This vaccine is cell-based. That means it's grown in cells that are mammalian and not grown in eggs where you can get mutation. The problem with mutation is the flu virus can become less well matched that what was recommended to go in the vaccine by the WHO (World Health Organisation)."
Dr Booy says this new cell-based vaccine will be available for everyone - but vulnerable patients who could be more severely impacted by influenza will have free access.
"There are three important groups who can get the Flucelvax QUAD vaccine under the National Immunisation Program. The three groups are: pregnant women, anyone aged between 5 and 64 who is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, or people between the ages of 5 and 64 with eligible co-existing medical problems. If you're not eligible for this flu vaccine under the NIP, you can access it as a private prescription through your GP or pharmacist."
Yet while there might be new vaccines on the market, the message this year remains the same: get vaccinated.
The Codral Cold and Flu Forecast, released at the start of April, indicates this year will be one of the worst cold and flu seasons Australia has had.
Chief Medical Officer for Medibank, Chris Robinson, says influenza takes its toll on people and the healthcare system.
And he has told Channel Nine that, while influenza may peak in winter - the virus itself is already here.
" In humans, there's really three types of flu that we would worry about A, B, and C. However, what we see of primary concern for humans is A and B. At the moment, we're seeing a circulating at about 60 percent, whilst B is about 40 percent of infections."
Authorities have already started shipping vaccines to doctors and clinics across the country.
But there's still concern that vaccination levels aren't where they should be.
Figures suggest that in 2023, only about 25 percent of the population aged five to 64 years were vaccinated against influenza.
Queensland's Chief Health Officer, Dr John Gerrard, says those numbers have to be higher.
"The most important action that Queenslanders can take now that we've moved to amber is make sure you're up to date with your vaccinations. This trumps all other measures in terms of its importance."
