Older people should prepare for winter

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. Source NSW Health

With the winter respiratory virus season rapidly approaching, NSW Health is reminding people aged 65 years and older – to get up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination, and book in with their GP or pharmacist for their yearly flu vaccination.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends that people aged 65 and over receive their free COVID vaccine every 6 – 12 months.

NSW Health recommends people speak to their doctor or pharmacist to understand what is best for them.

Older people should also speak to their doctor now to make a plan about what to do if they start feeling unwell to help them get access to the right tests and treatments quickly.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said that the wider community also plays an important role in protecting people who are at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and flu.

“This includes our family and friends aged over 65,” Dr Chant said.

“If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, you should stay at home to protect others. If someone has cold or flu symptoms and they need to go out, they should wear a mask.”

People experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms should also avoid visiting high risk settings like hospitals, aged and disability care facilities or people who are at higher risk of severe illness.

Other things people can do to help protect themselves and their loved ones include:

• Speak to your doctor now if you are at higher risk of severe illness from respiratory illnesses

• Gather outdoors or in well-ventilated indoor spaces.

• Consider taking a rapid antigen test, even if you don’t have symptoms, before visiting vulnerable loved ones when COVID-19 transmission is moderate or high in the community.

People may be required to wear a mask in NSW when visiting high-risk settings such as aged and disability care. Masks may also be required in hospitals, general practices, medical centres and pharmacies.

For more information on getting your flu or COVID-19 vaccination and how to protect yourself and your loved ones this winter, visit: health.nsw.gov.au/respiratory