Western Sydney could be entering a challenging winter with influenza and other respiratory illnesses already on the rise, according to the latest data from the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System.
Western Sydney Primary Health Network Clinical Director, Dr Michael Fasher has called on clinicians to begin their annual vaccination programs now in readiness for the winter peak.
“Across Australia, there’s already been more than 46,000 cases of confirmed influenza with 18,100 in NSW alone. RSV also seems to be on the rise with 22,915 cases this year,” Dr Fasher said.
“Last year was a record year with more than 365,000 cases of laboratory confirmed influenza.
“Annual vaccination is the most important measure in preventing influenza and its complications for patients particularly those at risk.”
We’ve put together the latest vaccination recommendations and resources for you to get the full picture and be prepared for winter.
Key Points
- Annual influenza vaccination for all people aged six months and over and particularly those at risk
- Flu vaccines can be co-administered with any COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines
- Vaccines provided to pregnant women can be co-administered with the maternal RSV vaccine (between 28–36 weeks), pertussis vaccine (between 20–32 weeks) COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines indicated during pregnancy
- Timing: March or April – ideally occur before the onset of each flu season
Important Clinical Resources:
Yearly vaccination against the flu is recommended for all people aged six months and over.
The National Immunisation Program (NIP) offers free vaccines to eligible individuals who hold or are eligible for a Medicare card. These eligible groups include:
- Adults and older people
- Individuals aged 5 years or older with serious medical conditions that increase their risk of certain diseases
- First Nations people aged older than 6 months
- Pregnant women
- Infants and children aged 6 months to 5 years old
- Adolescents
It was recently announced that pharmacists can now provide the influenza vaccination for children as young as two, relieving pressure on GPs. Learn more about this here.
The most recent guidance from the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) regarding COVID-19 booster vaccinations outlines the specific age groups and how often they should get their shots.
- People aged 75 years and older: should receive the vaccination every six months
- People aged 65 to 74 years: should receive the vaccination at least every 12 months, but can receive vaccination every six months (based on GP review and advice)
- People aged 18 to 64 years:
- With severe immunocompromise: should receive the vaccination at least every 12 months, but can receive vaccination every six months
- Without severe immunocompromise: can receive vaccination every 12 months
- People aged five to 17 years:
- With severe immunocompromise: can receive vaccination every 12 months
- Without severe immunocompromise: not recommended to receive vaccination
- People aged under 5 years: not recommended to receive vaccination
Please visit the DoHAC website for more information about the latest COVID-19 vaccination recommendations and the NSW Health COVID-19 webpage.
Pneumococcal disease is uncommon, but it is a serious illness that can lead to severe health issues, disabilities, and even death. It is advised that everyone receives one vaccination, and additional booster shots may be necessary as well for:
- People aged 70+ years
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander adults aged 50+
- People with chronic medical conditions e.g., heart disease, diabetes, cancer, immunocompromised individuals
- Children aged 6 weeks to 4 years with health conditions – for health professionals, refer to HealthPathways childhood immunisation program
For more information, refer to the Pneumococcal Vaccination Handbook
Winter Preparedness Resources for Community and Patients
Western Sydney is home to a diverse community, including many residents who were born in other countries and a notable First Nations population. This diversity puts them at a greater risk for diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. To help protect our community from illnesses like the flu, COVID-19, and pneumococcal disease, it is crucial to offer resources that are translated and culturally relevant.
Upcoming Event: Immunisation Basics Webinar
We are hosting a free Immunisation Basics webinar for GPs, nurses, practice managers and other health professionals in Western Sydney. Nurse immunisers from the Western Sydney Local Health District will discuss:
- Becoming familiar with the Australian Immunisation Handbook online and where to find information
- Identify the importance of vaccination procedures in preparing for vaccination, administering vaccines and after vaccination including adverse events.
- Identify the resources available to plan a catch-up vaccination schedule and how the catch-up calculator can assist
- Identify additional Commonwealth and NSW funded free vaccines.
Date: Tuesday 29 April
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Additional Resources for Health Professionals
Western Sydney HealthPathways offers health professionals in Western Sydney access to a range of clinically accurate, up-to-date information and resources. Explore the COVID-19 Vaccination; Influenza Immunisation and Pneumococcal Vaccination for more information. If you require the log in details, please register westernsydney.communityhealthpathways.org
Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation has developed resources to support conversations between health professionals and their patients about vaccination. Resources include conversation guides, an eLearning program and training resources for practice teams.
Winter Ready: Data-Driven Strategies for Vaccination Success
The Winter Preparedness Toolkit for General Practice provides evidence-based strategies and data-driven insights to help practices optimize their workflows, enhance patient care, and ensure readiness for the vaccination period, ultimately improving seasonal health outcomes through proactive planning and informed decision-making. Topics covered include:
- Module 1: Understanding your population
- Module 2: Australian Immunisation Register
- Module 3: Patient Engagement
- Appendices: Example Model for Improvement and PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act)
You can also visit WentWest Practice Nurse toolkit – Module 1: Immunisation and Vaccine Management to upskill your workforce by providing education, information and support.
Primary Care Providers play a vital role in supporting their patients by promoting timely vaccinations and ensuring at-risk individuals are protected.
Information is correct as of 17 April 2025.