COVID-19 and Influenza - Latest Information
Last updated November 14, 2023
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NSW Health - surveillance indicates COVID-19 on the rise again.
Due to changes in regulations less people are getting tested for COVID-19, however, NSW Health monitors COVID-19 by monitoring emergency department presentations and analysing sewage. These surveillance methods indicate that COVID-19 is on the rise again.
The COVID-19 activity in the community is steadily increasing, marking the beginning of the next COVID-19 wave. As in other countries like the US, a new Omicron subvariant called Eris (also known as EG.5.1) has overtaken other previously prevalent subvariants and can now be detected in more than 50% of all new NSW COVID-19 infections analysed in the laboratory.
Latest information on booster vaccination
source | australian government
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has recommended some people at higher risk of severe illness get an additional 2023 COVID-19 vaccine dose (booster) if eligible.
About booster vaccination and vaccines
Protection provided by COVID-19 vaccination begins to wane over time. An additional (booster) dose of COVID-19 vaccine helps to strengthen your immune system and improve your long-term protection against severe illness from COVID-19.
The vaccines currently approved for use in Australia, for primary vaccination courses and booster vaccination doses, include:
Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) is no longer available as an approved COVID-19 vaccine. If you previously received a primary course and/or booster dose of AstraZeneca, visit the Australian Government website for information.
Booster vaccine doses can be different types to your primary vaccination course.
The COVID-19 and flu vaccines can be given at the same time.
HealthPathways
HealthPathways provides GPs and other primary health clinicians access to the latest COVID-19 information via an online health information portal to be used at the point of care.
As HealthPathways is a dynamic collaboration between local primary health care clinicians and the Local Health Districts there are separate portals for both the Hunter New England and Central Coast regions.
HealthPathways is NOT designed to be used by patients or general community members and as such a username and password are required to use the site. Clinicians without access can request password details by contacting us.
PatientInfo portals
Patientinfo is a companion health information portal to HealthPathways and links directly to the patient health information advice within the HealthPathways sites. No passwords are required to access the sites and so the links can be provided to patients to help them understand and manage their health conditions. As it is sourced from HealthPathways clinicians can be confident the advice is reliable, evidence based and up to date.