This year, for the first time, Australia will be managing COVID-19 and an influenza season. As we move into the winter 2022 season it is increasingly important that people protect themselves from both COVID-19 and influenza.

The winter 2022 period will be the first time Australia will be managing both COVID-19 and the influenza season.

Acting Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Sonya Bennett has issued a statement encouraging all Australians able to get vaccinated for influenza to do so.

The Australian Government, through the National Immunisation Program (NIP), provides a free seasonal influenza vaccine for groups at higher risk of complications from influenza.

These groups include:

• pregnant women

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over

• people aged 65 years and older

• people aged 6 months and over with medical conditions that predispose them to severe influenza

• children aged between 6 months and less than 5 years.