Australian Centre for Disease Control

29/05/2026

🧒 Young children are among the most vulnerable to many vaccine-preventable diseases.

Keeping your child’s vaccinations up to date helps protect them when they need it most.

💉 Making sure your child is immunised on time is the best way to help protect them. 🛡️

Childhood immunisations are safe and effective – and they also help prevent illnesses from becoming serious or life-threatening.

It’s one more way you keep them safe.

🔗 Learn more about childhood immunisations and which ones are recommended for your child at https://www.health.gov.au/childhood-immunisation.

25/05/2026

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections have dropped by 90% since Australia’s HPV vaccine program kicked off in 2007!

🖊️📉 But an Australian CDC funded report from the Kirby Institute reveals vaccination rates are slipping in all eligible populations, and not everyone has equal access.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescents and people living in remote areas are at highest risk of being left behind.

💉 The HPV vaccine is your best defence – it’s free for 12 to 13-year-olds through the school vaccination program, or up to age 26 if you missed out.

Remember, safe s*x helps stop the spread, but condoms only give partial protection from HPV.

🧒🧑🧑‍⚕️ Let’s work together to protect our communities. Chat with your family, encourage your mates, and talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated against HPV.

🔗 Want to learn more? Check out the latest HPV findings in the Kirby Institute’s new report https://www.cdc.gov.au/newsroom/news-and-articles/australias-hpv-vaccine-program-leads-90-drop-prevalence-gaps-remain.

22/05/2026

🛫 Travelling to the Middle East for Hajj?

Learn about Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and how you can protect yourself.

🚑 MERS is a rare disease but it can be deadly. No vaccine is available – but there are ways you can help avoid catching and spreading it. 🛡️

🔗 Learn how at https://www.cdc.gov.au/diseases/middle-east-respiratory-syndrome-mers.

We administer the parts of the Biosecurity Act 2015 that relate to human health. We work with other agencies to reduce the risk of harmful human diseases entering and leaving Australia.

19/05/2026

Did you know children under 5 are more likely to end up in hospital from the flu, but only 1 in 3 got their annual flu vaccine last year? Let’s boost those numbers! 🚑

💡 There are now 2 ways to keep your little legends safe – the flu jab or the new nasal spray. Both are here to help protect kids from getting really sick.

The nasal spray is approved for kids aged 2 to 17 and is now available for purchase, or you can grab it for free through state programs in:

✅ NSW & SA for 2 to 4 year olds
✅ QLD for 2 to 5 year olds
✅ WA for 2 to 11 year olds

Whether you choose the jab or spray, both options are safe and effective. The annual flu jab is free for children aged 6 months to under 5 years – it’s recommended every year for everyone 6 months and up!

Chat with a doctor about what works best for your family and help you and your kids stay flu-free. 💉👃

🔗 Find more ways to stay safe this winter at https://www.cdc.gov.au/newsroom/news-and-articles/get-ready-winter-respiratory-illnesses.

15/05/2026

Don't let mould take hold in your home this winter!

Exposure to mould can trigger or worsen serious health issues in some people – especially those with asthma, allergies or respiratory infections.

🏠🦠 Regularly clean mould-prone surfaces with diluted vinegar or detergent. Remember to dry everything thoroughly after cleaning.

Always make sure you have good ventilation when cleaning mouldy surfaces and wear protective gear like an N95 or P2 mask.

If you're unsure about tackling tough spots, professional help is just a call away.

And remember that simply removing visible mould isn't enough. Tiny spores can help it spread even after you’ve cleaned what you can see.

🔗 Find more information and practical tips to help prevent mould at https://www.cdc.gov.au/advice/preventing-mould-exposure.

11/05/2026

🤔 Wondering how the flu vaccine works?

It doesn’t give you the flu – it trains your immune system.

The vaccine contains inactivated (killed) virus pieces or proteins that can’t cause infection.

🥊 Your body learns to recognise these and builds antibodies to fight them.

If you’re exposed later, your immune system can respond faster and reduce your risk of serious illness.

It might not stop you catching the flu entirely, but it can make illness milder and lower the risk of complications.

💪 Protect yourself and the people around you – talk to your healthcare professional about getting your flu shot this season.

🔗 Learn more about seasonal flu at https://www.cdc.gov.au/diseases/seasonal-flu-seasonal-influenza.

06/05/2026

Did you know the flu vaccine changes every year?

🦠 Flu viruses are constantly mutating, and the strains that dominate can shift from one season to the next.

This makes it more difficult for our immune system to recognise new strains and fight the virus.

🧑‍🔬 To stay ahead, scientists track what’s circulating globally, then update the vaccine to match the most likely strains – so your protection stays as strong as possible.

It might not stop you catching the flu entirely, but it can make illness milder and lower the risk of complications.

💪 That’s why getting your annual flu shot is so important – it helps protect you and the people around you from the latest flu strain. It’s recommended for all people aged 6 months or older.

Talk to your healthcare professional about getting vaccinated this flu season or find a vaccination clinic near you with healthdirect’s service finder: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/australian-health-services

04/05/2026

Breathe easy indoors this winter! 🏠❄️

There’s nothing like staying cozy inside on a cold day, but shutting windows and doors to keep out the chill can allow germs and pollutants to build up inside.

If someone in your household gets sick, poor air circulation can make it easier for everyone to catch it – even your favourite cuppa can’t protect you!

Keep your air fresh and your family healthy this winter:
🪟 Open windows and doors when the outside air is clean to let in fresh air.
🌀 Use HEPA filters to reduce airborne particles or germs and keep your indoor air cleaner.
🔥 If possible, avoid wood heaters – choose cleaner heating options to reduce indoor pollution.
💧 Control moisture – ventilate rooms, dry damp areas, and use exhaust fans when cooking or showering to prevent mould and mildew.
😷 If someone in your home is unwell, limit close contact and consider wearing a mask.

Let’s keep our homes healthy this winter. Small changes can make a big difference for you and your family.

Discover more ways to improve indoor air quality at https://www.cdc.gov.au/topics/environmental-health/indoor-air-quality

28/04/2026

💉 Why get the flu vaccine if you can still get the flu?

Think of your flu shot as a coach for your immune system! 🏅

🛡️👨‍⚕️ It won’t always keep the virus from sneaking onto the field, but it helps your defenders (antibodies) tackle the flu faster.

That means you’re less likely to get seriously sick or die, and you’ll bounce back much more quickly.

🤝 It may also reduce how much virus you carry and how long you’re sick, which can help lower the chance of passing flu on to others.

So, it’s a win for your teammates, coworkers, and family too!

Score one for self-care and better health! 🧬🙌

Protect yourself from serious illness this flu season. Find a vaccination clinic near you with healthdirect’s service finder: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/australian-health-services

24/04/2026

📢 Even more Australians will soon have access to free respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination through the National Immunisation Program: www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/free-rsv-vaccine-for-older-australians.

From 15 May, the RSV vaccine will be free and available for:
🧓 Australians aged 75 or older (newly eligible!)
🌏 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 60 or older (newly eligible!)
🤰 pregnant women (already eligible).

And it’s right on time! RSV cases have been increasing since late January, which means the 2026 RSV season has begun.

In 2026 so far, RSV infection has been most common in:
🍼 babies and children aged 9 years or younger
🧓 adults aged 75 years or older.

And these groups are also among those at greater risk of severe illness from RSV.

💉 The best protection for everyone is to get vaccinated against RSV.

🔗Learn more about RSV at https://www.cdc.gov.au/diseases/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv.

🔍 Explore more respiratory illness trends in the latest Australian Respiratory Surveillance Report at https://www.cdc.gov.au/resources/collections/arsr-2026