The 2025 flu season has been unusually long, with sustained activity into late spring and early summer. Current case numbers are still much higher than previous seasons.
The Christmas period poses higher risk for older people due to increased visits from family and young people who may be mildly sick.
As we gather with family and friends over the festive season, let's remember to protect each other.
The Commission’s Chief Clinical Advisor reminds providers of their obligations to prevent, prepare and respond to infectious respiratory disease outbreaks.
Simple actions like handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, increased environmental cleaning, and staying up to date with vaccinations can help reduce the spread. Ensuring timely access to antiviral medication is also important.
Residential aged care providers are required by the Aged Care Quality Standards to minimise infection-related risks, including making vaccines readily available. They must:
- ensure early identification of viral respiratory illness through visitor and worker screening and testing
- recommend that visitors and workers stay at home if unwell with flu-like symptoms
- ensure correct infection prevention and control measures are in place including visitor and worker personal protective equipment are available (such as masks)
- continue to ensure timely access to antiviral medication. Flu antivirals need to be started within 48 hours of symptom onset and may also be used for the prevention of flu during outbreaks
- encourage older people and workers who have not yet received a 2025 seasonal flu vaccine to be vaccinated. Everyone aged 65 years and older can access flu vaccinations for free. Younger people with diabetes, heart disease, severe asthma, and some other chronic conditions are also eligible for free flu vaccinations. Contact your GP, pharmacist, community health centre or Aboriginal health service for more details
- refer to and implement your outbreak management plan if needed.
This is also an opportunity to consider whether aged care residents are due for a COVID-19 vaccine, which is recommended every six months for those aged 75 years and older. Covid-19 and flu vaccines can be administered at the same time.
Additionally, for older people, their families and carers
If you are visiting older loved ones over the holiday period, help them to stay safe and remember to:
- open windows and doors to let in the fresh air
- stay home if you feel unwell
- practice good hand hygiene
- wear a mask in crowded places
- regularly clean frequently touched surfaces like door handles, handrails, phones and benchtops.
Further information for providers:
Influenza (flu) | The Australian Immunisation Handbook
Seasonal flu (seasonal influenza) | Australian Centre for Disease Control
Preventing the spread of respiratory viruses | Australian Centre for Disease Control
Oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19 and influenza viruses in residential aged care services
