We are excited to welcome two new GP registrars to our team, Dr. Monique de Pedro and Dr. Steven Khor. Monique obtained her medical degree from Monash University and has worked in various hospitals around Western Sydney, the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, and most recently in General Practice in Wagga Wagga. She has a special interest in paediatric medicine, having completed the Sydney Child Health Program at Westmead Children’s Hospital.
Steven studied at the University of Newcastle and has worked as a general surgical and plastic surgery registrar at several hospitals in Sydney, including Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital, the Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick and most recently in a General Practice in Mudgee. He enjoys all aspects of general practice and is dedicated to optimizing preventative health measures to keep patients healthy.
As winter approaches, it is an important time to prepare yourself and your family members to reduce the risk of illness from respiratory viruses that circulate in the community in late Autumn and Winter.
The big four are Influenza, Whooping cough, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) and Covid-19. Influenza and RSV cause seasonal epidemics. Symptoms range from mild to severe but those over 65 years are at increased risk of more severe illness.
People with medical conditions that lower their immunity, chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic lung disease and cardiac failure as well as pregnant women, infants and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background are also at increased risk.
Influenza Vaccine
The influenza vaccine is updated every year and is available for children aged 6 months and over and all adults for $15.
Those at risk of severe illness are strongly recommended to have the vaccine each year and are eligible for a government-funded one:
- Children aged 6 months to 5 years
- Pregnant women
- Adults aged 65 years and older
- All ATSI people from the age of 6 months
- Anyone with serious health conditions like asthma, diabetes, cancer, immune problems, obesity, kidney, heart, lung or liver disease
COVID Vaccine
There is still plenty of Covid around, and ATAGI have updated their advice for 2024 and now recommend a Covid booster:
- Every 6 months for all adults aged 75+
- Every 12 months (can consider every 6 months) for the following 2 groups:
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- Adults aged 65-74
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- Adults aged 18-64 with severe immunocompromise
- The following 2 groups should consider a COVID booster every 12 months:
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- Adults aged 18-64
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- Children aged 5-17 who are severely immunocompromised
Boosters are still not recommended for children under 5.
Whooping cough (pertussis)
Whooping cough is a bacterial respiratory infection that can affect people of all ages but can be life-threatening in babies. Older children and adults are a major source of infection being passed onto young babies. Luckily vaccination can reduce the risk of infection and serious illness but it must be given every 10 years to maintain immunity.
Australia is experiencing a major uptick in cases, with a 10-fold increase in cases last year. Public health authorities are urging all adults to check their vaccination status and have a booster if it’s been 10 years or more since the last one.
Whooping cough vaccination is especially important for:
- Pregnant women between 20-32 weeks (28 weeks is ideal) to protect their newborn in the first few months of life
- Adults who care for or visit babies under the age of 6 months such as other adults in the household, babysitters and grandparents
- Infants and their siblings
The whooping cough vaccine is government-funded for pregnant people or at a cost of $40 for other adults.
RSV Vaccine
A new vaccine is available to fight RSV called Arexvy and is indicated for people over 60 years. At this stage it is not free, and costs around $300 per dose. This will be a significant barrier for a lot of people but hopefully it will become more accessible soon. The RSV vaccine for infants and babies is highly anticipated but not yet available
Free RSV vaccines called Abrysvo are available at the practice for pregnant people 28 – 36 weeks.
