Winter wellness flu and COVID-19

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Brisbane South PHN > Support > Coronavirus (COVID-19) > Winter wellness flu and COVID-19

Winter wellness flu and COVID-19

Page last updated 1:00pm 30 June 2022

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In winter 2022, we are experiencing an unprecedented convergence of COVID-19 and influenza outbreaks, not previously experienced in Australia.

With our international border closed and social and public health measures in place, we saw record low levels of influenza during 2020/2021. However, with international borders open and social restrictions eased, health officials predicted a rise in both influenza and COVID-19 in our community.

Vaccination against influenza and COVID-19 are particularly important this winter. At Brisbane South PHN, we are encouraging general practitioners (GPs), practice nurses, practice receptionists, pharmacists and pharmacy assistants to help with boosting vaccination numbers and:  

Vaccination is highly opportunistic. Recommendation by a GP or health professional increases the likelihood of getting a COVID-19 vaccine by more than 60%. [1] 

‘Ask the question’ campaign

Brisbane South PHN has created a resource pack to encourage health care providers to ask the question.

During May 2022, these packs will be posted to general practices and pharmacies in the Brisbane south region.  

Resource pack includes: 

If you have not received a campaign pack, or would like additional resources, email covidsupport@bsphn.org.au  

Some important things to know

  • From 24 May to 17 July 2022 influenza vaccine is free for everyone is Queensland.
  • It is safe and recommended to get both influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations while breast/chest feeding. More info 
  • It is safe to administer the influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations at the same time. More info 
  • People who have been infected with COVID-19 should wait 3 months before receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. Infection will not provide ongoing immunity. More info 
  • People who have been infected with COVID-19 can and should still receive the influenza vaccines without any minimum interval. More info  
  • People who have been infected with influenza can and should still receive their influenza and COVID-19 vaccination once they are feeling well and have no fever. More info 
  • COVID-19 vaccination is free for all people in Australia.
  • Influenza vaccination is for anyone 6 months and older. More info 
  • COVID-19 vaccination is for anyone 5 years and older. More info 
  • Prioritising targeted vaccination for vulnerable people helps to protect them. More info 
  • The Department of Health have provided influenza information and resources. 

What can you do?

Every time you greet a patient or customer… 

Who can ask the question?

  • GP reception staff 
  • GPs 
  • Practice nurses
  • Pharmacy assistants  
  • Pharmacists 

For support to have conversations about vaccination, the Consumers Health Forum of Australia has some great resources, including training videos and tip sheets.

The National Centre for Immunisation has consumer-focused decision aids that you could work through with your patient.   

Once they agree, then what?

  • Administer the vaccination then and there – vaccination is opportunistic, so the best time to do it is now.   
  • Offer to book them in for a vaccination appointment – although this often sees a drop off in vaccination, with patients not returning for their appointment.   

Things to consider

  • Do you have enough of the relevant vaccine to administer then and there?  
  • Do you need to reorder or request additional vaccines?  
  • Do you have an available nurse or other suitable staff to administer then and there?  
  • Do you need to increase your staffing levels to facilitate increased vaccination?  

Stay well this winter digital resources

As part of our winter wellness focus, we developed digital resources aimed at increasing consumer awareness about good hygiene and health practices, and influenza and COVID-19 vaccination.  

Brisbane South PHN is making these digital resources – social media tiles and animations – available for general practice to use on your digital platforms.  

Below are the resources for download and suggested post wording. If you use the resources, please remember to include #bsphn in your posts! 

These resources were developed in collaboration with all Queensland PHNs and will be distributed across Queensland.  

Help stop the spread of flu and COVID-19 this winter. Contact us to book your vaccination or booster. #bsphn 

Good hygiene and vaccination help to protect against flu and COVID-19. Call to book a vaccination or booster appointment #bsphn

Washing your hands regularly helps to protect against the flu and COVID-19.  #bsphn 

If you’re sick, stay away from others to keep them safe, even if you have a negative RAT result. #bsphn

Flu vaccination is recommended for 6 months and older, and COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for 5 years and older. #bsphn

We can administer your flu and COVID-19 vaccination at the same time. Call to book an appointment.  #bsphn 

Even if you have been sick, it is important to get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19. #bsphn 

If you are older or have underlying health conditions, you might be due for another COVID-19 booster. Call us to find out.  #bsphn 

Vaccination is an effective way to prevent the spread of flu and COVID-19. Book your vaccination or booster appointment today.  #bsphn 

Some people have a higher risk of getting very sick from flu and COVID-19. Book your vaccination or booster appointment today.  #bsphn 

Stay well this winter consumer digital resources (for councils)

Help stop the spread of flu and COVID-19 this winter. Contact your doctor to book your vaccination or booster. #bsphnGood hygiene and vaccination help to protect against flu and COVID-19. Call your doctor to book a vaccination or booster appointment. #bsphn
WinterHygiene01 character: 117WinterHygiene02 character: 138
Washing your hands regularly helps to protect against the flu and COVID-19. #bsphnIf you’re sick, stay away from others to keep them safe, even if you have a negative RAT result.
#bsphn
WinterHygiene03 characters: 82WinterHygiene04 characters: 103
Flu vaccination is recommended for 6 months and older, and COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for 5 years and older.
#bsphn		Doctors can administer your flu and COVID-19 vaccination at the same time. Call to book an appointment.
#bsphn
Vaccination01 characters: 124Vaccination02 characters: 110
Even if you have been sick, it is important to get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19.
#bsphn		If you are older or have underlying health conditions, you might be due for another COVID-19 booster. Call your doctor to find out.
#bsphn
Vaccination03 characters: 94Vaccination04 characters: 138
Some people have a higher risk of getting very sick from flu and COVID-19. Book your vaccination or booster appointment today.  
#bsphn		Vaccination is an effective way to prevent the spread of flu and COVID-19. Book your vaccination or booster appointment today.
#bsphn
WinterVaccinationAnimation1 characters: 134WinterWellnessAnimation2 characters: 133

Digital resource disclaimer

All information and content is provided in good faith by Brisbane South PHN and is based on sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of development. Brisbane South PHN does not accept any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage as a result of any errors, inaccuracies, incompleteness and or discrepancies in the data, nor does Brisbane South PHN guarantee or make any representations as to the data.

While the Australian Government has contributed funding for these materials, it has not reviewed the content and is not responsible for any injury, loss or damage however arising from the use or, or reliance on, the information provided herein.

People most at risk of hospitalisation

Information about people at risk from flu and eligible for free vaccination
Information about influenza symptoms
Influenza vaccination guidelines
Information about the Medical Benefit Schedule for influenza
Information about people at risk from COVID-19
Information about COVID-19 symptoms 
Information about COVID-19 clinical recommendations
Information about Medicare Support for COVID-19 Vaccinations
COVID-19 vaccination is free for all people residing in Australia

SpotOnHealth HealthPathways

Find out more about influenza and COVID-19 through SpotOnHealth HealthPathways 

Influenza vaccinations  
COVID-19 vaccinations 
COVID-19 case management 
COVID-19 requests
COVID-19 recent changes 

Health care workers working in the greater Brisbane south region can contact support@bsphn.org.au, call 07 3156 4346 (Monday to Friday) or request access to SpotOnHealth HealthPathways. 

Quality Improvement toolkits

  • Influenza vaccination 2022 toolkit aims to assist with identifying eligible patients for flu vaccination, review practice systems and training, and identify opportunities to conduct flu vaccination clinics.  
  • Patient management toolkit aims to review your practice systems to ensure patients are provided with the right care at the right time during the pandemic to support a person-centred approach to their care.  
  • Infection control toolkit aims to review your practice systems to ensure infection control and safe work environments are maintained during the pandemic.  
  • Business planning  toolkit aims to review your systems to ensure your practice has adequate planning to continue working during a natural disaster or pandemic.  
  • Business continuity toolkit aims to review your practice business systems to ensure continuity of the practice is maintained during the pandemic.  

All of the above toolkits are available in a PDF fillable workbook on DiscoverPHN.   

If you do not already have access, register for DiscoverPHN for these and more training and improvement resources.  

Other resources