Flu resources for health professionals

Important links and resources

Below are important links with guidance on flu and coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines and immunisation. 

• ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines in 2024
• Aged care toolkit for COVID-19 outbreaks
• Aged care facility visitor restrictions
• Advice for COVID-19 vaccine providers

Learn more about immunisation

Care@home

COVID@homeplus has recently changed its name to Care@home. 

Care@home still provides the same high-quality remote healthcare in the home for people with COVID-19, flu or flu-like illness. 
Enrol in Care@home today

The Care@home service provides remote healthcare in the home for vulnerable patients with COVID-19, other respiratory illnesses such as Influenza (flu) or flu-like illness, who meet other specific referral criteria. 

If a patient tests positive to COVID-19, flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or other flu-like illness and would like to enrol in Care@home, they must complete an enrolment form.

Preparing for a flu outbreak in aged care

• Create a flu management plan.  
• Aim to have more than 90% of all staff receive the flu vaccine each year. 
• Record the flu vaccination status of all residents and staff each year.  
• Transfer a residents’ vaccination record with them if they move to another aged care facility. 
• Speak to your visiting GP about the use of antivirals in an outbreak.  
• Document this in your flu management plan. 
• Request standing orders or pre-order of antiviral medication. 
• Train your staff in the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE). 
• Train your staff in all infection control practices. 
• Maintain enough supplies of PPE, cleaning materials and signs for visitors and residents.  
• Contact your pathology provider for a small supply of appropriate swabs for prompt testing. 
• Advise families about your infection control policies, isolation protocols and possible visitor restrictions. 
• Provide information to families about the benefits of flu vaccination. 

Download the steps to help in flu outbreak preparedness factsheet

What to do if there’s a flu outbreak in aged care

• Identifying a flu outbreak early is very important.  
• If you suspect a flu outbreak, start your response plan immediately. 
• Contact our Communicable Diseases Prevention Unit (CDPU) early for advice. 
• We can provide advice on managing and controlling outbreaks of flu and other diseases. 
• If you suspect it is coronavirus (COVID-19), call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.