Stay well this winter

There is an increased risk of respiratory illness during the winter months.

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others. The earlier you and your school community get vaccinated, the better your protection heading into winter.

How to reduce the spread of respiratory illness

Encourage your family members to:

• wash or sanitise their hands thoroughly and regularly, particularly before and after touching their face
• cough or sneeze into their elbow
• use air purifiers
• maximise external ventilation
• stay home if unwell and consult your GP or Nurse-on-Call as needed
• stay up to date with your influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations.

Flu and RSV vaccinations

The flu can be serious, especially for children. Everyone aged 6 months and older should get the annual flu vaccine. 

RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalisation in Australia. Vaccination during pregnancy helps protect newborns by passing on antibodies. This reduces the risk of severe RSV illness in infants aged under 6 months by about 70%.  

The vaccine can safely be given at the same time as other vaccines recommended in pregnancy. These include flu, whooping cough, and COVID-19 vaccines. 

School community members can speak with their usual healthcare provider to see if this is right for them.