The cooler months are upon us and we want to ensure that messaging for Respiratory Infections including influenza, COVID and RSV remains our focus.
All family members from 6 months and over are eligible for the annual influenza vaccine. Visit our previous article on what to expect for the 2024 influenza season for more information.
COVID still remains a threat with increasing notifications and presentations to Emergency Departments across NSW in recent weeks. Our elders and adults with chronic medical conditions are particularly at risk of severe illness and can be protected by staying up to date with COVID vaccination. To assist with clinical decision making, you can find useful resources here.
The NSW Health 2024 Respiratory Illness Campaign Communications Toolkit seeks to promote flu vaccination to everyone in the NSW community (aged 6 months and over) by emphasising the benefits and ease of getting vaccinated, while also raising awareness and understanding of other respiratory illnesses including COVID-19 and RSV. The toolkit contains key messages, newsletter copy, media releases, factsheets, social media tiles and videos, digital and printed materials. It includes tailored assets for Aboriginal communities.
And for our babies born after 31st October 2023 there is a new RSV immunisation called Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab) to help stop severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia in babies under 12 months. This immunisation can be given at the hospital before newborns go home or at your ACCHO and should be recorded in the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR); ordering is through normal vaccination ordering systems. More information is available via this LINK.
We have a variety of resources to assist community messaging on respiratory infections on our website here. If you would like hard copies, please contact Publichealth@ahmrc.org.au and we will arrange for delivery to your service.
For our members who submitted an EOI for the 2024 Winter Immunisation Grant, you should have received an email entailing the steps to receive your grant money. If you have completed these steps, you will shortly be receiving these funds.
We know these grants will support the amazing effort your services make in protecting your communities. If you have any feedback or photos of your influenza vaccination programs please feel free to share with us at Publichealth@ahmrc.org.au so we can feature in our future Public Health Newsletters.
