Healthed Australia Winter virus preparations
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May 28, 2025 Explore the current landscape of winter respiratory viruses like influenza, RSV, and COVID-19, and learn about the crucial role of vaccination. Experts emphasize protecting vulnerable populations amid co-circulating pathogens and rising illness rates. Discover strategies for increasing vaccination uptake and public awareness to combat these infections. Gain insights into the challenges clinicians face in advocating for immunization and the importance of proactive management during the winter months.
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Multiple Viruses Circulating Concurrently
- Multiple respiratory viruses like influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 are circulating simultaneously, complicating diagnosis and management.
- Early and high volume influenza cases this year suggest a potentially severe season, especially with low vaccination rates.
Promote Flu Vaccination Effectively
- Encourage vaccination for all, especially high-risk groups like young children and elderly, despite prevalent myths about flu vaccines.
- Emphasize that vaccination reduces severity, hospitalizations, and deaths even if breakthrough infections occur.
RSV Affects Extremes of Age
- RSV mainly affects young children and older adults, leading to significant hospitalizations especially in children.
- Prevention options now exist but are complex, including maternal vaccination, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines for older adults.