Respiratory illness

Protect yourself and others, so you don¡¯t miss a thing.

Faily vaccinatd for flu

Influenza (flu)

Influenza (flu) 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.

COVID-19

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 GP, pharmacist or Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS).

Grandparents and grandkid
Blowing nose 

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

RSV is a highly infectious illness that mostly affects babies, young children and older adults.

To stop the spread of RSV, stay at home if you feel unwell and cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. RSV immunisations are available for pregnant women, some babies and older people.

How to protect yourself and others from respiratory illness


Stay up to date with your vaccinations.


Stay home if you're sick and wear a mask if you need to go out.


Avoid crowded spaces and get together in well-ventilated spaces.


Consider doing a rapid antigen test before visiting those more vulnerable.


Make a plan with your doctor if you're at higher risk of severe illness.


Practice good general hygiene, like regular handwashing.

Other vaccines to keep you healthy

Find out how you can protect yourself from other serious illnesses such as shingles, pneumococcal and measles.

Where can i find more information about vaccine safety?

Learn more about vaccine safety and check out the most recent vaccine safety data.

Translated resources

Learn about respiratory illness in Arabic (???????), Farsi (?????), Korean (???), Nepali (??????), Simplified Chinese (¼òÌåÖÐÎÄ), Vietnamese (Ti?ng Vi?t Nam) and other languages.

View translated resources

Current as at: Wednesday 14 May 2025
Contact page owner: Communicable Diseases