Make sure you have the best protection against winter respiratory illnesses through vaccination, hand hygiene and maintaining a balanced lifestyle.
Respiratory infections affect the nose, throat, sinuses, airways, and lungs. Most infections are caused by viruses or bacteria.
Flu
Influenza (sometimes called ‘the flu’) is a highly contagious virus that causes widespread illness each year.
The flu can be serious and annual influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.
Vaccination helps protect you, your family and the wider community. It also reduces the risk of severe illness and influenza-related complications.
Some people are at increased risk of complications from influenza and are eligible for a free vaccine.
These include:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
- Children aged 6 months to under 5 years
- Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
- People aged 65 years and over
- People aged 6 months and over with certain medical conditions
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause a respiratory infection affecting the airways and lungs.
RSV affects people of all ages but is most common in infants and young children. It can also be severe in babies and young children, older people and people with underlying health conditions. Most children will have been infected with RSV by the age of 2 years. It is usually seasonal, occurring more frequently in autumn and winter.
Free RSV vaccination for pregnant women is available year-round. Women should have an RSV vaccine during each pregnancy.
During Victoria’s RSV season, RSV monoclonal antibodies is also recommended for young babies whose mother did not get vaccinated at least 2 weeks before delivery, to protect against severe disease.
Free RSV vaccination is also available for all people aged 75 years and older and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 years and older.
RSV vaccination is recommended for people aged 50 – 74 years with medical risk factors for severe RSV disease.
COVID-19
COVID-19 vaccination is free for all Victorians, including those without a Medicare card. Adults aged 65 years and over are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Following an initial course, it is recommended:
- people aged 18–64 years who are immunocompromised receive a vaccine annually
- people aged 65–74 years receive a vaccine annually
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- people aged 75 years and over receive a vaccine every 6 months
If you become ill
If you or someone you know becomes ill with a respiratory illness, the best way to look after yourself includes:
- Resting – which allows your body to use its energy to fight the infection
- Staying at home – stay away from work, school and anywhere you may come into contact with others
- Drink lots of fluids – when you have a fever, you need to replace what you lose. This can include water, tea, and juice.
If your child is ill with a respiratory illness, keep them home from school or childcare until symptoms have resolved.
Vaccine safety
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) monitors vaccines in Australia for safety and effectiveness. All vaccines used in Australia provide benefits that far outweigh any risks. It is much safer to be vaccinated than to contract the disease.
Mild side effects may occur following vaccination, which is a normal response. Most side effects are temporary and reflect the immune system’s natural response.
Common reactions include:
- pain, swelling or redness at the injection site
- headache, fatigue, or mild fever
- muscle aches or feeling faint
Residents in residential aged care facilities (RACF)
Residential aged care facility (RACF) residents are at significant risk of severe disease and death from viral respiratory illnesses. Vaccination is an important measure to protect residents from the effects of respiratory illnesses.
Health professionals including RACF staff are trusted sources of information about vaccination and play an important role in changing minds about vaccination.
The following training and resources will help health professionals to address misinformation and to feel more comfortable about having difficult conversations about vaccination.
