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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Animation of the flu virus 

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


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

What else can I do to protect myself and my loved ones?

To protect yourself and your loved ones:

  • stay up to date with your recommended influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations
  • stay home if you are sick and wear a mask if you need to leave home
  • get together outdoors or in large, well-ventilated spaces with open doors and windows
  • avoid crowded spaces
  • 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 make a plan about what to do if you get sick, including what test to take, and discussing if you are eligible for antiviral medicine
  • don't visit people who are at higher risk of severe illness if you are sick or have tested positive to COVID-19 or influenza
  • practice good hand hygiene, including handwashing.

If you have a health concern that is not life-threatening, call healthdirect for free anytime day or night on 1800 022 222.​

*Some providers may charge an appointment fee. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if this applies to you. There is a small fee if you are not eligible for a free flu vaccine. The fee may vary between providers. ​​

Current as at: Tuesday 9 July 2024
Contact page owner: Communicable Diseases