COVID-19 and flu information for Aboriginal communities

Video transcript

Keep our mob safe - winter 2022

We’ve come a long way, but the COVID-19 virus isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. 
 
That’s why it’s important we wear a mask when we’re out in crowded spaces, stay home and get tested when we’re not feeling well, make sure we’re prepared at home if we test positive to COVID-19, and stay up to date with our vaccinations. 
 
So come on you mob, let’s keep doing these things this winter. 
 
Together, we can help keep our mob safe and strong.

Protecting our mob this winter

With winter here, and increasing flu and COVID-19 cases, the best way you and your family can stay well and keep doing the things you love is to:

• Stay up to date with your COVID-19 (including your booster or winter booster dose if eligible) and flu vaccinations to help protect yourself and those around you.
• Wear a face mask in public indoor settings, when out in large crowds or when you can’t keep your distance from others. Face masks are mandatory on public transport and in high-risk settings.
• Stay home if you’re not feeling well. Do a PCR test (or a rapid antigen test if you can’t get a PCR test and register a positive COVID-19 result on Service NSW) and if your result is negative, stay at home until you feel better. If your test is positive, you need to self-isolate at home for 7 days and follow the testing positive to COVID-19 and managing COVID-19 at home advice.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are aged 30 years and over with 2 or more risk factors for severe illness, anyone aged 70 and over, and people who have other health conditions, may be eligible for antiviral medicines. They need to be taken quickly after testing positive to COVID-19. Speak to your doctor or Aboriginal Health worker about antiviral medicines so you can understand your options if you test positive to COVID-19.
• Get tested if you have any COVID-19 symptoms, even if you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19. Get together with family, friends or colleagues outdoors or in well-ventilated areas.
• Wash your hands or sanitise regularly.
• Have a yarn with your GP, pharmacist, Aboriginal Medical Service or Aboriginal Health Worker if you have any questions about flu, COVID-19 or your health. 

By taking these steps, you can help to keep you and your loved ones safe this winter.

Staying up to date with COVID-19 and flu vaccinations

Flu cases are growing alongside COVID-19 cases due to the highly transmissible Omicron subvariants circulating widely in NSW.

Staying up to date with your vaccinations this winter will help keep your immunity strong, even if you’ve already had COVID-19.

The flu vaccine is available and is free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 6 months or older. 

Although the symptoms are similar, flu and COVID-19 are caused by different viruses. It is important to protect yourself and the community from both viruses. 

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be given together, at the same time.

COVID-19 booster dose

Booster doses are recommended for anyone 16 years and over. You can get a booster dose 3 months after your second vaccination (or 3 months after a confirmed COVID-19 infection).

A booster strengthens your protection against serious illness up to 95%. Two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine is not enough – getting your booster is an important way to maximise your protection and help stop you from getting really sick.

COVID-19 winter booster (second booster)

Everyone aged 50 years and over is strongly recommended to get a winter COVID-19 vaccine (second booster) 3 months after your first booster dose to help keep your immunity strong. People aged 30 and over can also get a winter booster.

If you get COVID-19 before your winter booster dose, wait 3 months to receive it.

COVID-19 vaccines used in Australia are safe and are effective against COVID-19. All people aged 5 and older are eligible to get COVID-19 vaccines.

Get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines

Visit a NSW Health Vaccination Centre, your local GP, pharmacy, or Aboriginal Medical Service to receive a vaccine. 

To speak to someone one-on-one about COVID-19 vaccination, call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080. You can also SMS “Hey EVA” to 0481 611 382 if you need support to get a vaccine.

If you have any questions about the COVID-19 or flu vaccines, have a yarn with your GP, pharmacist, Aboriginal Medical Service or Aboriginal Health Worker. 

Getting tested for COVID-19

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should get tested immediately and stay home until you no longer have symptoms.

Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Shortness or breath (difficulty breathing)
• Runny nose
• Loss or taste and smell.

What COVID-19 test should I do?

Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Islander people aged 35 and over are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

This means it’s critical to get tested with a PCR (nose and throat swab) test at a testing clinic immediately if you have symptoms, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, as these tests are more accurate.

If you can’t get a PCR test result quickly, do a rapid antigen test (if you have one) while you wait for the PCR test result.

For further information, see the What COVID-19 test should I do? (PDF 99.66KB) fact sheet.

What happens if my test is positive?

If you test positive to COVID-19, your doctor may be able to prescribe you antiviral medicines, if you’re eligible, to stop you from getting really sick.

Antivirals work best if they are taken within 5 days from the start of symptoms, which is why it is important to speak with your doctor as soon as possible after testing positive to COVID-19 to see if you are eligible.

It’s a good idea to speak to your doctor now about antiviral medication or other early treatment so you can ask questions and understand your options early.

If you test positive on a rapid antigen test, you must register your result on the Service NSW app or by calling 13 77 88 to ensure the right support is made available to you.

Follow the advice for people testing positive to COVID-19 and managing COVID-19 safely at home, including self-isolating for 7 days. 

Anyone who has been exposed to a person with COVID-19 must follow the household and close contact guidelines.

Read the rules if you need to self-isolate. 

Antiviral medicines

What are antivirals?

Antiviral medicines target the virus that causes COVID-19, to help stop it from infecting healthy cells in your body and multiplying. This means you are less likely to get very sick and go to hospital.

Antivirals need to be taken as soon as possible, usually within 5 days from when symptoms start. They come in either pill form, to be taken by the mouth, or can be give intravenously (directly into the bloodstream).

COVID-19 antivirals do not work against other viruses like flu. They are only given to eligible people and people who have tested positive to COVID-19 with a rapid antigen test (RAT) or nose and throat swab (PCR) test. 

Remember, vaccination is still your best protection against COVID-19.

Who is eligible to receive antivirals?

• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island people aged 30 years and older with 2 or more risk factors for severe illness.
• Everyone aged 70 and over.
• Immunocompromised people over 18 may also be eligible.

If you test positive to COVID-19, have symptoms but do not require hospitalisation, and are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, you may also be eligible for antivirals.

How to access antivirals

It's important to get in touch with your doctor as soon as you test positive to COVID-19. 

If you can't speak to your doctor, contact healthdirect on on 1800 022 222, or NSW Health's COVID-19 and Flu Care at Home Support Line on 1800 960 933, who can check if you're eligible for antivirals.

It's a good idea to speak to your doctor or Aboriginal Health worker now about antiviral medicines so you can ask questions and understand your options in case you get COVID-19.

Staying safe at large gatherings and sorry business

COVID-19 and flu spreads easily between family members, especially when we gather together for joyful celebrations or sorry business.

It is important to stay safe when attending large gatherings, including sorry business, to help protect your family, friends and community.  

• Do not attend any event if you feel unwell, even if you have been vaccinated.
• Get a PCR (nose and throat swab) test and self-isolate to keep yourself and others safe.
• Encourage your guests to get tested before a large gathering  as an additional precaution to keep everyone safe.
• Wear a face mask if you’re in a public indoor space or in large crowds and wherever you can’t physically distance.
• Wash your hands well and often and keep some hand sanitiser with you.

Looking after your mental health and wellbeing

COVID-19 can impact you, your family and friends in different ways. 

It’s important to keep looking after yourself and others, and build these simple actions into each day:

• Connect with friends and family
• Maintain connection with culture
• Stick to a daily routine or create a new one
• Move your body as much as you can 
• Eat a range of healthy foods. 

If you or someone you know needs help, there is always support available. Speak with someone you trust or reach out to on support services available in NSW. There are also wellbeing resources and tips available.