Adjournment
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts) (18:37): I move:
That the house do now adjourn.
Infection prevention and control
Sonja TERPSTRA (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (18:37): (2631) As we all know, this time of year marks flu season, and viruses such as influenza, RSV, COVID and the common cold are all in circulation at this time of year. Whilst transmission is difficult to avoid sometimes, there are things that can be done to mitigate the risks of transmission. On the forefront, however, is vaccination, which is a tried and proven method to prevent serious illness. Of critical importance is the childhood vaccination program for our littlest Victorians, which is made possible under the national immunisation program, making children’s routine scheduled vaccines free. Despite this, we must acknowledge that whilst vaccination helps to prevent serious illness, infection can and still does occur. There are also viruses in the community that are circulating right now that cannot be vaccinated against. Therefore the action that I seek from the Minister for Health is for her to provide me with insight into what is being done to promote the importance of hygiene measures and isolation in order to mitigate the risks of spreading germs and viruses during times of increased illness.