Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) can spread quickly in schools where large numbers of students learn and play in close contact. ARI prevention is a joint effort. Parents, caregivers, and staff need to work together and take the necessary precautions to prevent ARIs from spreading.

• Stay protected by getting your free vaccinations (see your GP or pharmacy) for influenza, COVID-19 and RSV if eligible.
• Stay at home when sick (including keeping sick children home)
• Clean your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• If you need to leave the house when unwell, maintain physical distance from other and consider wearing a mask when you cannot physically distance

Practice good respiratory hygiene by:

• coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the inside of your elbow
• discarding used tissues immediately in a bin; and
• cleaning your hands thoroughly.

We all know that school attendance is important, so by working together, we can limit the spread of ARIs, and keep our children healthy and well at school.