Respiratory illness

Protect yourself and your family from influenza (flu), COVID-19 and RSV, so you can keep doing the things you love.

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Learn about respiratory illness in Arabic (العربية), Farsi (فارسی), Korean (한국어), Nepali (नेपाली), Simplified Chinese (简体中文), Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt Nam) and other languages.

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How to protect yourself and others from respiratory illness


Stay up to date with your vaccinations


Stay home if you're sick and wear a mask if you need to go out


Avoid crowded spaces and get together in well-ventilated spaces


Consider doing a rapid antigen test before visiting those more vulnerable


Make a plan with your doctor if you're at higher risk of severe illness


Practice good general hygiene, like regular handwashing​


COVID-19

COVID-19 is serious.

Staying up to date with your vaccinations is your best protection against severe illness.

To find out when you need to have your COVID-19 vaccine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Check your vaccine eligibilityFind a COVID-19 vaccine clinic

Animation of the COVID-19 virus
Animation of the RSV virus 

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

RSV is a highly infectious illness that mostly affects young children and older adults.

Although RSV symptoms are usually mild, some children and adults can get very sick and need hospital treatment.

RSV is spread though infected people coughing and sneezing. To stop the spread of RSV, stay at home if you feel unwell and cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Some babies and older people can have a RSV immunisation or vaccine.

Learn more about RSV


Influenza (flu)

Influenza is serious. Getting a flu vaccine is quick, easy and recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over. Your yearly flu vaccine offers the best protection from getting really sick and is free for:

  • children aged 6 months to under 5 years
  • pregnant women
  • Aboriginal people aged 6 months and over
  • anyone aged 65+
  • people with serious health conditions.

Book your flu vaccineLearn more about flu

Animation of the flu virus
Current as at: Tuesday 9 July 2024
Contact page owner: Communicable Diseases