Infectious respiratory diseases

Older age is one of the biggest risk factors for severe illness from infectious respiratory diseases such as COVID-19 and influenza (flu).

Aged care residents are particularly vulnerable because of their pre-existing health conditions, complex care needs and close living arrangements.

Regular vaccination is still the best line of defence against severe illness, hospitalisation and death from infectious respiratory diseases.

Communicating with older people, their families and carers

Regular communication with older people, their families and carers is critical to keep vaccination front of mind. 

We have developed communication toolkits to help you communicate with your community and have conversations about vaccination. 

Download the infectious respiratory disease: prepare and prevent for older people toolkit.

The toolkit includes:

  • key messages

  • discussion guidance

  • newsletter article

  • social media posts

  • postcard

  • social media tiles.

Discussing vaccination messages may help your community, including aged care residents, their families and carers to help prevent the spread of infectious respiratory diseases.

Margot Schoonmaker