As we enter the cooler months of the year, it is important to implement winter preparedness activities to ensure the health and safety of our community. Influenza (flu) cases tend to peak between June and September in Australia each year as the temperature starts to drop. Vaccination is the best protection against respiratory illnesses such as flu and COVID-19, especially for older people or those deemed as being at higher risk of severe illness from both diseases.
Who Should Consider Being Vaccinated Against the Flu?
Yearly vaccination against the flu is recommended for all people aged six months and over. Some people are eligible for a free flu vaccine because they are at higher risk of severe illness from the flu.
This includes:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and over
- Children aged six months to under five years
- Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
- People aged 65 years or over
- People aged six months or over with serious health conditions (including severe asthma, diabetes, cancer, immune disorders, obesity, kidney, heart, lung or liver disease), meaning they have a higher risk of getting serious illness
Please visit the NSW Health website for more information about the latest flu vaccination recommendations.
COVID-19 Vaccination Advice for 2024
The Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) has recently updated their COVID-19 vaccination advice on how often patients should receive the booster vaccination:
- People aged 75 years and older: every six months
- People aged 65 to 74 years: 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: 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.
Winter Readiness for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities
For culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations, access to translated information about COVID-19 and flu vaccines is an important part of public and preventative health measures. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that people born overseas have an age-standardised death rate over two and a half times that of those who were born in Australia (12.3 deaths per 100,000 people versus 4.8 deaths)[1].
The need for access to these resources is particularly imperative within Western Sydney, where the population is so uniquely diverse. A number of helpful resources for CALD patients are available:
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:
- The importance of vaccination procedures in preparing for vaccination, administering vaccines and after vaccination including adverse events
- How to identify the resources available to plan a catch-up vaccination schedule and how the catch-up calculator can assist
- Additional Australian Government and NSW funded free vaccines available to patients
Date: Tuesday 16 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 Influenza pathway and COVID-19 Response Package for more information. If you require the log in details, please contact our HealthPathways team at healthpathways@wentwest.com.au
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.
[1] Australian Bureau of Statistics (2022), COVID-19 Mortality in Australia: Deaths registered until 31 March 2022. Retrieved from: https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/covid-19-mortality-australia-deaths-registered-until-31-march-2022
Information is correct as of 14 March 2024.