The Department of Health is highlighting the importance of vaccines in two new campaigns encouraging parents to protect their kids from COVID-19 and everyone to get up to date with their flu and coronavirus shots.
Launching the campaigns, the Department said its Kids will be kids campaign highlighted the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination to protect children, while its Take on Winter campaign reminded Australians that they were more vulnerable to illness this year.
Backing the Health messages, the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler said the Department’s six-week Take on Winter campaign also underlined the availability of antivirals for people who were most vulnerable to severe effects of COVID-19.
“For the first time since 2019, we have the double threat of significant community transmission of both COVID-19 and influenza – with the likely outcome being a continued increase in case numbers over coming months,” Mr Butler said.
“Health professionals and hospitals are reporting increased numbers of people seeking treatment for respiratory illness,” he said.
“Vaccination is key to protecting against severe illness.”
Mr Butler said it was vital that all eligible people keep up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations and, if they hadn’t already done so, get their annual flu jab as soon as possible.
The Minister noted that two oral antiviral treatments – Lagevrio and Paxlovid – were available from local pharmacies for those most vulnerable to severe effects of COVID-19.
He encouraged people to talk to their GP about the right treatment for their health needs.
“More than 1.3 million courses of antivirals have been purchased by the Government to help protect people who remain at risk of progressing to severe illness from the virus, even when up to date with their vaccinations,” Mr Butler said.
“While most of us will only experience mild symptoms, for older Australians and those with some underlying medical conditions antiviral treatments can be effective, often preventing hospitalisation.”
He said one of the big advantages of the medications was that they could be taken at home.
However, Mr Butler said timing was critical.
“COVID-19 can move from mild to severe illness very quickly,” he said.
“It’s vital to start the five-day antiviral treatment course when symptoms first appear.”
Mr Butler said the Department’s Kids will be kids campaign aimed to increase COVID-19 vaccination among children aged five to 15 years old by addressing parents’ safety concerns, and highlighting the quality and effectiveness of the vaccines.
“It can take up to two weeks for the flu and COVID-19 vaccines to provide maximum protection, so it is important you don’t delay making any vaccination appointment,” he said.
