Important facts for Aboriginal people

• Aboriginal people are more likely to get very sick from flu and need treatment in hospital.
• The best way to keep your mob healthy is to get a flu shot.
• The flu shot is free for all Aboriginal people aged 6 months and over.
• Flu shots are also important for pregnant women and can help protect the baby for the first few months of life.
• Let your doctor or nurse know you identify as an Aboriginal person when you ask about your free flu shot.

Aboriginal people aged 6 months and over are at greater risk of severe flu and its complications.

There are simple precautions you can take to protect you and your mob from flu:

Get a flu shot

The best way to avoid flu this winter is to get a flu shot. Free flu shots are available from your local GP or Aboriginal Medical Service for all Aboriginal people aged 6 months and over.

Aboriginal people aged 50 years of age or older, and those 15–49 years of age who have underlying conditions placing them at risk of pneumococcal disease should also have the free pneumococcal vaccination.

Stay at home if sick

If you are sick with flu, stay at home and avoid close contact with other people to prevent them from also becoming sick. The opposite advice also applies - avoid close contact with sick people to avoid catching the flu yourself!

Sneeze into your elbow

Sneezing into your elbow instead of your hands can help stop the spread of flu. Did you know a sneeze can travel 1-2 metres and a single sneeze droplet may contain 200,000,000 individual virus particles?

Clean your hands

Wash your hands with soap or use a hand sanitiser regularly - a flu virus can survive on unwashed hands for at least 30 minutes and up to two days on other surfaces.

More information

• Influenza fact sheet
• Immunisation
  
• Influenza resources