Pittwater Life June 2023 Issue

Be prepared to stay well as colds hit
Everyone in NSW is being urged to
ensure they are up to date with their
recommended influenza and COVID-19
vaccinations, with community transmission
at high levels.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said that
as we enter the Winter months, staying up
to date with recommended vaccinations
was the best way to protect you, your family
and the community from serious illness.
“Influenza is a serious disease in young
children, and both COVID-19 and influenza
viruses can have serious consequences
for older adults, people who have chronic
health conditions and those who are immunocompromised,”
Mr Park said.
“Vaccination remains the best protection
against severe illness and now is the
time to make sure you are up to date with
the shots recommended for you.”
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry
Chant said health authorities were
anticipating high levels of influenza
activity over the coming months, so it
was important people continued to take
simple precautions to protect themselves
and each other.
Those considered to be at higher risk
of severe illness from influenza are
eligible for a free influenza vaccine and
include:
INCREASE: Flu risk
during Winter.
n Children aged six months to under five
years;
n People aged 65 and over;
n Aboriginal people from six months of
age;
n Pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy;
n Those with serious health conditions
such as diabetes, cancer, immune disorders,
obesity, severe asthma, kidney,
heart, lung or liver disease.
Simple steps to help protect individuals
and their loved ones from COVID-19
and influenza include:
n Staying up to date with your recommended
influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations;
n Staying home if you have cold or influenza
symptoms;
n Wearing a mask in crowded, indoor
places;
n Getting together outdoors or in large,
well-ventilated spaces with open doors
and windows;
n Washing or sanitising your hands often;
n Talking with your doctor now if you
are at higher risk of severe illness from
COVID-19 or influenza to make a plan
about what to do if you get sick, including
what test to have, and being assessed
to determine if you are eligible for antiviral
medicines;
n Don’t visit people who are at higher
risk of severe illness if you have cold or
influenza symptoms or have tested positive
to COVID-19 or influenza;
n Consider doing a rapid antigen test
(RAT) before visiting people at higher risk
of severe illness;
n Free RATs are now accessible to the
community via ServiceNSW and NSW
Health services.
Also, a good diet and a healthy lifestyle
can help support your immune system
and the effect of vaccines. Research
has shown a Mediterranean diet has
an anti-inflammatory effect in the gut
which can help boost the body’s immune
function and moderate-intensity physical
activity can improve immune response.
Health & Wellbeing
The Local Voice Since 1991
JUNE 2023 45