As notifications of respiratory viruses rise across the state, COORDINARE- South Eastern NSW PHN is joining with the Illawarra Shoalhaven and Southern NSW local health districts to urge communities to stay up to date with vaccinations to protect themselves and others in their communities.

The latest NSW Health Respiratory Surveillance Report indicates influenza activity is at a high level, COVID-19 transmission remains moderate, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) continues to circulate at a high level. 

 COORDINARE’s Illawarra Shoalhaven Medical Director, Dr Katherine Michelmore said, “the latest data shows more than 8495 people were diagnosed with influenza across NSW in the week ending 5 July. 

“Influenza can be serious in healthy people of any age, but some people are at greater risk of complications, especially children under five, pregnant women and adults 65 years and older,” she said. 

“Influenza vaccinations are important at this time, especially for people who are at risk of severe disease. The influenza vaccine takes about two weeks to boost your immune system and will provide maximum protection for around three to four months,” said Dr Michelmore. 

Free flu vaccines are available under the National Immunisation Program for: 

 “We are also seeing moderate COVID-19 activity levels and expect that COVID-19 infections will also continue to increase, so we are encouraging people to ask their doctor if they should have a COVID booster. If you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 or influenza, make a plan about what to do if you get sick, including what test to take, and discussing if you are eligible for antiviral medicines. 

“With all three respiratory viruses in circulation, people with symptoms should stay at home or wear a mask if they do need to go out. They should avoid visiting high-risk settings like hospitals, aged and disability care facilities,” said Dr Michelmore. 

All adults should consider annual COVID-19 and flu vaccines which are safe to be administered together. If people have their influenza and COVID vaccines at the same time they will benefit from added protection from both respiratory viruses during the peak flu season, which is generally until October. 

More information on influenza and the COVID-19 vaccines can be found here: