With a severe flu season expected for winter 2025, respiratory illnesses will likely increase, posing serious risks for older adults.
The good news is that there are a few simple steps you can take to help protect yourself and your loved ones from respiratory viruses like COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, such as:
- Staying up-to-date with your recommended flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. The federal government recommends the following vaccination schedule: Australians aged 75 or more can receive a free COVID-19 vaccine every six months, and those aged 65 to 74 every 12 months.
- Staying home if you are sick and wear a mask if you need to leave home.
- Getting together outdoors or in large, well-ventilated spaces with open doors and windows.
- Consider doing a rapid antigen test (RAT) before visiting people at higher risk of severe illness.
- Talk with your doctor now if you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 or influenza to plan what to do if you get sick, including what test to take and if you are eligible for antiviral medicines
- Don't visit people at higher risk of severe illness if you are sick or have tested positive for COVID-19 or influenza.
Residential aged care
In our residential aged care homes, we continue to encourage all residents to be vaccinated.
Seasonal influenza vaccination: Residential Managers will organise vaccine clinics through visiting pharmacists and/or on-site GP clinics.
COVID-19 vaccination: All our residents are encouraged to get COVID-19 vaccinations. Residential managers organise booster vaccination clinics per home at least every six months.
Want more information?
More information on influenza and the COVID-19 booster vaccines can be found here:
https://www.nsw.gov.au/health/influenza
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/vaccination
If you have any questions, please contact the residential manager of the relevant home. We look forward to welcoming you upon your next visit.