Health Emergency
Hotline 1802007

Information on Vulnerable Groups

Who is considered vulnerable to severe outcomes?

The following groups are considered to be vulnerable for severe disease, and should be a focus of early identification, assessment and treatment:

• Chronic respiratory conditions, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Pregnancy (particularly in second and third trimesters)
• People who are very overweight
• People with:
  • Cardiac disease (more than simple hypertension)
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic metabolic diseases
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Haemoglobinopathies
  • Indigenous Australians of any age
  • Pregnant women, particularly in second or third trimester
  • Immunosuppressed (including cancers, HIV/AIDS infection, transplant treatments)
  • Chronic neurological conditions (including cognitive disorders, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders that compromise respiratory function or increase the risk of aspiration)

There are other groups who, whilst not regarded as vulnerable, require active monitoring for deterioration if they have an acute respiratory illness. These include:

• Smokers
• Obstructive sleep apnoea
• Children under the age of 5 years
• Pregnant women in their first trimester

See also the CDNA guidelines - H1N1 SONG (PDF 92 KB) (9 July 2010)

For information on protecting health care workers and staff at increased risk of complications see
CDNA pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza: Guidance for Health Care Workers at Increased Risk of Complications (PDF 37 KB) (9 June 2009).

If you are having difficulty downloading the PDF document(s) please email webmaster@health.gov.au and we will arrange for an alternative format or a copy to be sent to you.