Stay well this winter

Winter is here. Now is the time to protect yourself and others from the flu and COVID-19. It’s important to get vaccinated even if you’re fit and healthy. In fact, vaccination is the most effective way to lower your risk of getting very sick if you get the flu or COVID-19.

Protect yourself from the flu

Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged six months and older, and are available through GPs and pharmacies*.

Some people have a higher risk of severe illness from flu and are eligible for a free flu vaccine under the National Immunisation Program. They include:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from six months of age

• children from six months to under five years of age

• people aged 6 months and over with certain medical conditions that increase their chance of severe influenza and its complications

• pregnant women

• people aged 65 and over.

Protect yourself from COVID-19

If your last COVID-19 vaccination or previous COVID-19 infection was at least 6 months ago, you can have a COVID-19 booster and influenza vaccination on the same day.

An additional COVID-19 booster dose is now suggested for all adults aged 18 years and over, and for children and adolescents aged 5-17 years who have medical comorbidities that increase their risk of sever COVID-19, or disability with significant or complex health needs.

Contact your GP to get your influenza and COVID-19 booster dose in the same appointment. Vaccination through pharmacies are only available to those aged 10 years and over.