It is important to ensure the safety of our community, especially older members as age continues to be the biggest risk factor for severe COVID-19.

The best way to protect yourself from severe illness or death from COVID-19 is vaccination.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has updated advice for the COVID-19 vaccine.

If it has been 6 months since receiving a COVID-19 vaccine or a confimed COVID-19 infection, an additional dose:

• is recommended for people aged 75 or older
• should be considered for people aged 65-74 and people aged 18-64 years with severe immunocompromise, following discussion with their health care provider.

People aged 65 years and older who have not had a COVID-19 booster this year, are recommended to get a dose.

All COVID-19 vaccines are anticipated to provide benefit to eligible people. However, the monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccines are preferred over other vaccines for eligible people.

Please share this information with your family and friends.

How to book a vaccination

For more information on vaccination, visit the Department of Health and Aged Care website: health.gov.au/covid-19-vaccines.

To find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic near you:

• Speak with your doctor or pharmacist
• Book an appointment on the health service finder.

Call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 if you need COVID-19 advice.

Treatments

Oral antiviral treatments are safe and effective in reducing the severity of COVID-19 and are available to people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 including people 70 years and older.

If you are aged 70 years or older, or have one of the risk factors, be prepared and have an early discussion with your GP or nurse practitioner about:

• whether an oral antiviral suits your health needs
• developing a COVID-19 plan if you test positive to COVID-19 including how to acess antivirals quickly if you need them.

You must start the treatment as soon as possible or within 5 days of COVID-19 symptoms beginning. Oral antiviral treatments may help stop COVID-19 infection from becoming severe.