Don't Let the Flu Stop You: Protect Yourself This Season
The flu isn’t just a bad cold—it can be a serious illness that will make you very sick and disrupt your daily life. In 2024, Australia had a record number of flu cases. With the 2025 flu season coming soon, now is the time to act and protect your health.
Given the recent flood events on the North Coast, it’s more important than ever to stay strong and protect yourself and your community by getting vaccinated against influenza (flu), COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), especially for those in vulnerable groups. Learn more about post flood vaccination – flu, COVID-19, RSV and tetanus.
Why Get Vaccinated?
- The flu can be dangerous – The flu can lead to severe health problems like pneumonia and hospital visits. Getting vaccinated lowers your risk of serious illness.
- Stay healthy and active – The flu can stop you from working, socialising, or doing what you love. A simple vaccine helps keep you on track.
Get Your Flu Shot Today!
Flu season is coming—don’t wait. Get vaccinated now to protect yourself and those around you. Don’t let the flu stop you!
- For more information about influenza and flu vaccination, visit the Department of Health.
Who Can Get a Free Flu Shot?
The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone over 6 months old. Some people can get it for free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP):
- People aged 65+ – Older adults have a higher risk of getting very sick.
- Pregnant people – The flu shot protects both the parent and baby.
- Children aged 6 month to 5 years– Young children can have more serious flu symptoms.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – Higher risk means extra protection is needed.
- People with long-term health conditions – Conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease can make the flu worse.
For more information about why, where or who should get vaccinated, please visit health.nsw.gov.au
Post flood Vaccination – flu, COVID-19, RSV and tetanus
Post flooding, communities in Mid North Coast NSW need to be reminded of the importance of vaccination against influenza (flu), COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), particularly vulnerable groups. Flooding can create challenging conditions, potentially impacting your health and immune system. Vaccination remains the most effective measure to prevent severe illness and reduce complications from these diseases.
Getting vaccinated against respiratory illnesses is a key step in protecting individuals and communities from serious illness, especially as people are recovering from flood impacts.
HNC encourages the co-administration of vaccines, encouraging individuals to get both flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, ideally on the same day, as they are safe to administer together.
HNC also advises checking with your GP about tetanus vaccination if you cut yourself on something contaminated with floodwater. It’s also recommended to seek medical advice for tetanus if your wound is dirty or deep, or if your last booster was more than 5 years ago.
NSW Health has the following advice about protecting yourself and others from respiratory illnesses like flu, COVID-19 and RSV, NSW Health advice.
Flu vaccine
Getting vaccinated against the flu helps protect both you and the people around you.
It’s particularly important to protect vulnerable people in the community who are at risk of severe disease, such as:
- babies
- older people
- pregnant women
- people with chronic (long-term) health conditions
RSV vaccine
RSV is a virus that causes infection in the lungs and airways and is one of the most common causes of respiratory infections in children.
RSV vaccination is recommended for specific groups including:
- women at 28 to 36 weeks pregnancy
- infants and children under two years of age
- whose mothers were not vaccinated at least two weeks before delivery, or
- who are at increased risk of severe disease, or
- who have medical conditions or circumstances which increase their risk of RSV disease
- First Nations people aged 60 years and over
- people aged 60 years and over with medical conditions that increase their risk of severe RSV disease
- people aged 75 years and over
COVID-19 vaccine
Regular COVID-19 vaccinations (also known as boosters) are the best way to maintain your protection against severe illness, hospitalisation and death from COVID-19. They are particularly important for anyone aged 65 years or older and people at higher risk of severe COVID-19.
You can use this tool to determine whether you are eligible for a COVID-19 booster vaccination.
Health professionals
Are you a health professional or practice seeking further information on the influenza vaccine?
Please see our resource page specifically for health professionals below.
Download your North Coast ' Don't let the flu stop you: Protect yourself this season' posters today.
Select the poster you want to download and print!
