Health Minister Greg Hunt has rolled up his sleeve to get the flu jab to launch this year's national influenza vaccine program.
Up to 170 Australians lose their lives to the flu each year, something Mr Hunt described as "a tragic outcome".
Also volunteering for the flu jab on Thursday was a pregnant woman and an elderly man, both of whom fall into the high-risk category.
Only 29 per cent of pregnant women in NSW last year were vaccinated for the flu, according to NSW Health.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy has urged pregnant women to take advantage of the free flu vaccinations this year, stating the current uptake from this group is still relatively low.
"Influenza is a much more serious disease in pregnancy, not many women are aware of that, and it can be a significant disease in newborn babies so vaccination of a mother is two in one," Mr Murphy said.
"The flu vaccination is very safe for expectant mothers and their babies and also provides protection in the infant's early months," Vicky Sheppeard, Director Communicable Diseases, NSW Health said.
Under the National Immunisation Program, the Turnbull government is providing 4.5 million free influenza vaccinations for people most at risk of contracting the influenza virus.
Eligible parties for free flu shots include people aged 65 years and over, most Indigenous Australians and Torres Strait Islander people, those who suffer chronic conditions and pregnant women.
People are being encouraged to vaccinate early in April so immunity can develop before winter. This will prevent transmissions of the virus during peak flu season around August.
Vaccinations to protect Australians against four strains of this year's influenza virus are now available - for more information please see www.immunise.health.gov.au
