Acute Respiratory Infections

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs), including influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 significantly disrupt communities and healthcare systems during winter. Severe illness can affect people of all ages, including healthy children and adults. Vaccination is a critical tool in reducing the spread and severity of ARIs.

Clinicians are encouraged to actively promote vaccination among their staff and patients to protect individuals and reduce pressure on healthcare services.

 General Practice infection prevention and control

• Implement screening and triage procedures for individuals presenting to clinics with ARI symptoms.
• Post signage reminding patients of ARI prevention messages.
• Segregate symptomatic patients and provide masks for symptomatic patients and source control.
• Utilise outdoor consultation/telehealth/home visit options where appropriate.
• Coordinate appointments for vulnerable patients to allow for multiple clinician consultations in one visit during lower activity times.
• Check the air handling in your facility is functioning efficiently and consider consulting with an air purifier, heating, ventilation and cooling system specialist.
• Ensure adequate PPE is available for all staff.
• Consider reception counter protective screens, floor signage, barriers and other environmental controls to protect your workforce.
• Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces frequently, implement cleaning protocols.
• Clean shared equipment between patients.

Key Vaccination Information

Influenza

Eligibility: Influenza vaccine is free for all Queensland residents aged 6 months and older under the 2025 Queensland Free Flu Vaccination Program until 30 September 2025.

Priority Groups: 

• First Nations people aged 6 months and over.
• Children aged 6 months to under 5 years.
• Pregnant individuals at any stage of pregnancy.
• People aged 65 years or older.
• Individuals with medical conditions that increase the risk of severe disease

Co-administration: Flu vaccine can be administered with most other vaccines at the same visit.

Resources: Refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook for detailed guidance. 

RSV

The Queensland Paediatric Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prevention Program provides free RSV immunisation for: 

• Pregnant individuals at 28 to 36 weeks gestation
• Eligible infants and young children in Queensland.

Resources: Refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook and the Queensland Paediatric Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prevention Program for detailed guidance. 

COVID-19

COVID-19 vaccination remains vital in protecting at-risk populations from severe COVID-19 outcomes. COVID-19 vaccines are free for all eligible individuals.

Eligibility: Free COVID-19 primary course vaccination is recommended for: 

• All individuals aged 18 years or older
• Children aged 6 months to under 18 years with medical conditions that increase their risk of severe disease.

Booster Doses: Further doses every 6 or 12 months are recommended, or can be considered, based on an individual’s age and risk factors for severe disease.

Resources: Refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook and the Australian Government's COVID-19 vaccine advice for detailed guidance.

Surveillance:  Weekly surveillance reports for influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 can be accessed at: Acute respiratory infection surveillance reporting | Queensland Health. 

Resources for clinicians

• AIVC Recommendations for the Composition of Influenza Vaccines for Australia in 2025
• ATAGI clinical guidance for COVID-19 vaccine providers
• Queensland Health Notifiable Conditions Weekly Totals
• Influenza (the flu) | Communicable disease control guidance
• Influenza (the flu) | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government
• COVID-19 | Communicable disease control guidance
• COVID-19 | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) | Communicable disease control guidance
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government