Preventive Health

Small Steps for Healthy Ageing
Staying healthy is not only about treating illness when it happens. Preventive health focuses on taking small, proactive steps to maintain wellbeing, reduce health risks, and support healthy ageing. From regular check-ups to vaccinations and healthy lifestyle habits, prevention can help older Australians stay active, independent, and connected to their communities.

What is preventive health?
Preventive health means taking action to minimise the risk of illness, detect health conditions early, and support overall wellbeing before problems become more serious. It focuses on protecting health and improving quality of life over time.

Preventive health can include:

• regular GP check-ups
• health screenings and assessments
• vaccinations and immunisations
• healthy eating and physical activity
• mental health and social connection
• getting enough sleep and managing stress

Why Preventive Health Matters as We Age

As we get older, our bodies and immune systems naturally change. This can increase the risk of certain illnesses and health conditions. Preventive health plays an important role in helping older adults maintain independence, stay well, and continue participating in the activities and communities they enjoy.

Early detection and prevention can also help reduce the impact of chronic conditions and support better long-term health outcomes.

Importantly, preventive health is not about perfection. It is about making manageable choices that support wellbeing and healthy ageing.

Understanding Immunisation and Vaccines

Vaccination is one of the most effective forms of preventive health. Vaccines help protect the body against serious infectious diseases by strengthening the immune system’s ability to recognise and fight infections.

Immunisation not only helps protect individuals but also helps reduce the spread of illness within the wider community, including among people who may be more vulnerable to severe illness.

Older adults can be at greater risk of complications from illnesses such as influenza, pneumonia, shingles, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus infections. Staying up to date with recommended vaccinations can help reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation, and complications.

Free Vaccinations Available for Older Western Australians

Under Australia’s National Immunisation Program (NIP), some vaccines are available free for eligible older Australians.

Common vaccinations recommended for older adults may include:

• Influenza (flu) vaccine

Recommended annually for people aged 65 years and over

• COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters

Recommended to help protect against severe illness

• Pneumococcal vaccine

Helps protect against pneumonia and other serious infections

• Shingles vaccine

Helps reduce the risk of shingles and long-term nerve pain

• RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine

Recommended for some older adults depending on current health advice 

For more information about funded vaccination in Australia, visit Melbourne Vaccine Education Centre’s release about ‘Older population’s immunisation recommendations’.

ENDS

Chris Jeffrey - Chief Policy Officer COTA WA
WenDis Ng - Marketing Officer

https://www.cotawa.org.au/