SearchWinter is typically a period of increased illness across the Darling Downs and West Moreton regions, with higher rates of respiratory infections such as influenza, COVID-19 and pneumococcal disease. These illnesses can spread quickly through the community, increasing demand for primary care services and emergency departments.
Winter Strong has been developed by the Regional Health Collaborative to promote population health and wellness throughout winter, empower the health workforce to promote winter wellbeing activities, encourage appropriate care‑seeking, and help ease pressure on the health system.
Where to get vaccinated
Getting vaccinated is easy. You can get the flu vaccine from your GP or other vaccine service providers.
To find a vaccination provider near you:
- call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
- use Healthdirect’s free service finder
- call the National Immunisation Hotline on 1800 671 811.
You can get vaccinations from a range of places including:
- GPs
- some pharmacies
- community health clinics
- Aboriginal Medical Services
- school-based vaccination programs
- some workplaces
- some hospitals
- travel medicine clinics
- staff occupational health clinics
- aged care facilities.
Contact your preferred vaccination provider to ask about the specific vaccines they can provide, and to arrange an appointment.
Cost
Although the flu vaccine is free, some providers may still charge a consultation fee. Check if there are any fees when making your appointment. The COVID-19, RSV and pneumococcal vaccines are only free for people who meet eligibility criteria under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
Stop the spread
Wash your hands
Practice healthy hand hygiene this winter. Regularly washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds will help you to stay healthy this winter.
Remember to wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, after playing with animals, at the gym, before eating, and after the bathroom.
6 steps to successful everyday hand washing
Stay at home when you're feeling unwell
Stay at home when you're unwell to rest, recover faster, and stop the spread of viruses to other people.
Winter virus symptoms often overlap and it can be tough to tell them apart. Common symptoms include fever, body aches, fatigue, cough, sore throat, and a runny or stuffy nose.
Practice healthy habits
Little habits make a big difference.
Keep your family healthy and strong this winter with these tips:
Sneeze into your sleeve
If no tissues are available, sneeze into your inner elbow rather than your hand.
Stay hydrated
Drink water throughout the day for immune function. Adults are generally recommended to drink 2.1L to 2.6L each day.
Sleep well
Quality sleep is vital for a well-functioning immune system.
Find advice for you
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
This winter, keep your mob strong.
For some people the flu will be mild. However, for other people the flu can make you very sick, and it can be really dangerous for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The flu vaccine is free for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from the age of 6 months. To help bub beat the bug, kids aged 2 to 5 can also now get flu protection as a free, safe nasal spray.
COVID-19 can be especially dangerous for elders and people with medical problems.
Vaccines are free for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from the age of 6 months. For older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, COVID-19 vaccination is recommended:
- every 6 months for people 75 years and over
- every 12 months for people 65 to 74 years.
The RSV vaccine is free from 15 May 2026 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 60 years and over.
To protect yourself against pneumococcal disease, the free vaccine is also recommended for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 50 years and over.
Visit your local Aboriginal Medical Service, GP, or pharmacy to learn more about these free vaccines and your eligibility.
Across April and May, Darling Downs Health are also offering free flu vaccines via their Tackle Flu clinics. Their team are travelling across the region and visiting local clinics, community centres, and schools to provide free flu shots.
Map of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health/medical services
Healthcare workforce
Healthcare workers face an increased exposure to respiratory illnesses in winter. To keep you, your family, and your patients winter strong, remember these healthy habits:
Practice hand hygiene
Practice healthy hand hygiene this winter. Healthcare workers are encouraged to follow the Bare below the elbows guidelines. This is achieved when sleeves are above the elbow, hands and forearms are free of jewellery, skin is intact, and nails are natural, short, and unvarnished.
Follow PPE protocols
Ensure you follow the correct procedures for fitting and removing PPE. For PPE advice, visit Infection prevention and control guidance.
Stay at home when you're feeling unwell
When you're unwell, stay at home to rest, recover, and prevent the spread of viruses to your patients and peers.
If you work in general practice, help your patients stay strong this winter by taking the following actions:
- Prioritise review of CDMPs for older patients with at higher risk from chronic conditions (COPD, CCF, Diabetes or Asthma).
- Ensure patients with COPD and CCH have action plans in place.
- Review older patients with polypharmacy to reduce exacerbation risk from drug interactions and non-compliance.
- Undertake 75+ Health Assessments (MBS Item 705/707) to identify undiagnosed or poorly managed chronic disease, update vaccination status and update care plans.
- Check with your patients about their vaccination status. Pneumococcal, COVID-19 and influenza vaccines are critical to keeping your patients strong this winter.
Button: General Practice Toolkit
Pregnant women and parents of children aged 6 months to 5 years
Young children and babies can pass viruses on to the rest of the family, including older relatives who are more likely to become very unwell.
The influenza vaccine is recommended for every pregnancy and at any stage of your pregnancy. It is the best way to protect both you and your baby from the flu.
Kids aged 2 to 5 can now get flu protection as a free, safe nasal spray.
Pneumococcal disease can cause serious illness like pneumonia and meningitis, and vaccination is free for children. Talk to your GP or Child Health Nurse about getting protected.
The maternal RSV vaccine is recommended for women at 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy to protect their baby against serious illness from RSV. Vaccination during pregnancy protects your baby from birth against RSV and serious complications.
COVID-19 vaccines can also be given at the same time as NIP maternal vaccines if your health professional recommends it.
Older people and/or those with medical risk factors
A free, safe flu vaccine every year is how you stay winter strong.
People aged 65 years and over, including those living in residential aged care, have a higher risk of severe illness and hospitalisation from the flu, COVID‑19 and RSV.
Influenza and COVID-19 viruses continue to adapt, so it's important to stay up to date with recommended vaccinations.
COVID-19 vaccines are free for everyone in Australia. Speak to your GP to book in a vaccination today.
Pneumococcal disease can cause serious illness like pneumonia and meningitis, and vaccination is free for people aged 70+ and people with conditions that put them at risk.
If you are 75 years or over, you can get a free RSV vaccine from 15 May 2026 to protect you over the winter months, when most RSV cases occur.
Vaccination protection is strongest in the first 3 to 4 months after you are vaccinated.
Remember to wear your mask when visiting young family to reduce the risk of infection.
Spread the word and encourage your community to stay winter strong
We have provided the following materials which will help you to help us spread the word about staying winter strong.
Through sharing this content to your channels and networks, you can support you community to stay informed and well this winter, and ease pressure on the local health system.
Social media
Download social media tiles to share winter strong messaging on your social media channels.
Newsletters
Download the newsletter messaging in long or short form, and the suite of tiles to promote winter strong in your newsletters.
Need support?
Our Primary Care Liaison team is available to provide one-on-one support.
E: rap@ddwmphn.com.au
P: 07 4615 0900
