Be well this winter

During Canberra’s colder months, more people are likely to become unwell from respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 (COVID), influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

These viruses are more than just colds. They affect everyone differently and can be serious.

There are things you can do to maintain your wellbeing and prevent you from becoming severely unwell if you do become sick.

Simple actions can help keep you well and protect yourself and others.

Stay up to date with your vaccinations.
Practise good hand and respiratory hygiene (wash or sanitise hands frequently, and cough and sneeze into your elbow).
Stay at home if you’re unwell.
Take steps to maintain your physical and mental health over the winter months – stay active, eat well, spend time outdoors if you can, get enough sleep and look after your mental health.

Stay up to date with your vaccinations

Vaccination remains the best protection from severe disease and hospitalisation.

It’s an easy and safe way to help protect both yourself and the people in our community who are more at risk.

Talk to a healthcare professional about which vaccinations are recommended for you.

You can book your vaccinations with your GP, participating pharmacy or other immunisation provider.

Influenza vaccination

Influenza (flu) vaccines are updated every year to protect against different strains. Everyone aged 6 months and older is recommended to get an influenza vaccine every year, particularly those at higher risk of severe illness.

Some individuals are eligible to receive a government funded flu vaccine.

You can find somewhere to get an flu vaccine near you by using the Healthdirect Service Finder.

COVID vaccination

Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself from serious illness or death from COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccines are updated to protect against new COVID variants.

Your doctor, pharmacist or immunisation provider can tell you how many doses you are recommended to receive, and how long you should wait between doses.

You can make a booking for a COVID vaccination at your GP or a participating pharmacy. You can find a clinic near you by using the Vaccine Clinic Finder.

It is safe to get influenza and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time.

For more information about COVID vaccines visit the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination

Two RSV vaccines have been approved by Therapeutic Goods Administration for specific groups.

Vaccines for RSV are not currently government-funded and are only available by prescription from a GP.

Speak to your doctor to learn more about RSV vaccines, eligibility, and cost.

Speak to your healthcare team before you become unwell

If you’re at higher risk of severe illness from respiratory viruses, speak to your healthcare team before you become unwell. This includes your GP, pharmacist and any home care providers.

Ask your GP

What kind of testing should you do if you become unwell
If you would need a PCR pathology request form, and how you can get one
If you would be recommended to take COVID or influenza antiviral treatments, and how to access them early in your illness.

COVID and influenza antiviral treatments need to be started as soon as possible after your symptoms start for the best results.

If you don’t have a regular GP or can’t get an appointment with them, you can find a GP clinic near you using Find a Health Service. This tool allows you to use search preferences to find a GP that is right for you.

Speak with your pharmacist

Talk to your pharmacist about your pharmacy’s preferred way for you to get a supply of your regular, over the counter and antiviral medications (if required), should you become unwell.

This may be home delivery, contactless pick up or another option.

Talk to any home care providers

Talk to any home care providers about what will happen if you are unwell.

Ask them who to inform if you are unwell and how you will continue to receive home care services.

Look after your physical and mental health

During winter, you’re likely to spend more time indoors, exercise less, participate in fewer social activities and change your diet.

There are things you can do to maintain your physical and mental health over the cooler months.

Spend time outdoors to maintain ideal levels of vitamin D.
Try to be active most days of the week, preferably every day.
Stay connected by spending time with people.
Eat a wide variety of nutritious foods.
Try to get enough sleep.

If you’re experiencing any signs of mental health issues, particularly if they don’t go away and are affecting your everyday life, you can seek help and support by talking to a health professional. For more information visit Head to Health.

What to do if you become unwell

The most common symptoms of respiratory viruses include:

a cough, sore throat, or runny nose
body aches (muscle or joint pain)
feeling tired and fatigued
fever and chills
loss of appetite

If you become unwell, stay at home until your symptoms have improved and you’re feeling much better. Wear a mask if you need to leave home. Most people can manage their symptoms at home by resting and drinking plenty of fluids.

If you’re at higher risk of severe illness, follow the testing and management plan you discussed with your GP. If you don’t have a plan, contact your GP for assessment early in your illness.

Good hand and respiratory hygiene (washing or sanitising hands frequently and coughing and sneezing into your elbow) are important all year round, but particularly important if you have any symptoms. Practising good hygiene will help to protect others from illness too.

Get health assistance

Seek health or medical support if you need it.

Contact a GP or regular healthcare provider.
Go to a Walk-in Centre, where you can receive face-to-face assessment by a nurse for a wide range of health needs.
Call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 to speak to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Use Find a health service to find an after-hours GP clinic open near you.
Call Canberra Afterhours Locum Medical Service (CALMS) on 1300 422 567 from 6 pm on weekdays and all day on weekends and public holidays.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and existing clients can contact Winnunga Nimmityjah Health Service on (02) 6284 6222.

If you have severe symptoms, such as breathing difficulty or chest pain, call triple zero (000) immediately or go to your nearest Emergency Department.

Get the latest health advice

Make sure you get the latest information from reliable sources, including

You can call the Healthdirect advice line on 1800 022 222. It’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.