The Federal Government is providing two new “enhanced” flu vaccines for free to people aged over 65.

The move comes after a horror flu season last year, during which more than 1,000 died — 90 per cent of whom were aged over 65.

The new scheme will see the vaccines Fluad and Fluzone High Dose available from April.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy believes the “enhanced” vaccines will be more effective.

“We are pretty confident this will be better protection,” he said.

“No flu vaccine is complete protection, the standard vaccine seems to protect well in younger people, but we are confident this will give better protection for the elderly.”

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt says they will provide better protection for those aged over 65.

“Last year we had the best in the world, but these new vaccines weren't available,” he said.

“The medical advice, both from the vaccine producers, the World Health Organisation and the Chief Medical Officer is that the mutation which occurred last year in many countries will be specifically addressed by these new vaccines.”

Fluad and Fluzone High Dose will be available through the National Immunisation Program, on the advice of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

Fluad contains an adjuvant, which triggers a stronger immune response.

Fluzone contains four times the active ingredient, which works to create a stronger immune response too.

Professor Murphy’s office is also investigating ways to improve protection from seasonal influenza, which could include a new requirement for residential aged care providers to provide a seasonal influenza vaccination program to all staff.