As winter approaches, our pharmacies are gearing up for the cold and flu season. This month, our catalogue focuses entirely on equipping your family with the essential tools and advice needed to stay healthy and resilient throughout the months ahead.
The cooler weather brings an increased risk of respiratory illnesses, making prevention our top priority. We are proud to partake in the Queensland Government’s free flu shot program, offering free influenza vaccines to all Queensland residents. To secure your dose, you can easily book online or simply walk in today, subject to pharmacist a vailability.
In addition to flu protection, free RSV vaccines are now available under the National Immunisation Program for specific high-risk groups. Following official Australian Government guidelines, eligibility includes pregnant women between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, adults aged 75 years and older, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals aged 60 years and over.
To help you maintain peak wellness, I would recommend these three essential winter health tips:
- Prioritise immune support: Support your body with targeted supplements like Vitamin C, Zinc, and Vitamin D.
- Practice rigorous hygiene: Wash hands frequently and carry hand sanitiser.
- Act at first symptoms: Keep a well-stocked medicine cabinet with decongestants, lozenges, and pain relief.
Beyond winter wellness, we want to extend the best of luck to all the athletes competing in the upcoming Ironman Cairns. Training and racing in such a grueling event requires immense dedication, and our pharmacy teams are cheering you on every step of the way.
We invite you to browse this month’s catalogue and chat with our friendly pharmacists for personalised care. Stay happy and healthy!
Managing Director
WINTER WELLNESS KIT
When winter hits, being prepared can make all the difference. Cold and flu season often brings coughs, congestion and fatigue.
Having a simple at-home kit means you can manage symptoms early and comfortably. It’s something we often recommend in pharmacy, keeping a mix of medications, immune support and everyday essentials on hand to ease symptoms and support recovery.
Here’s a practical winter wellness kit you can build using staples from Alive Pharmacy Warehouse.
Essentials for symptom relief
Paracetamol or ibuprofen for fever, headaches and body aches
Cold and flu tablets such as Codral or Demazin for multi-symptom relief
Nasal decongestant spray to help clear blocked sinuses
Cough syrup, choosing dry or chesty depending on your symptoms
Sore throat and congestion care
Lozenges such as Strepsils or Difflam to soothe irritation
Throat sprays for fast, targeted relief
Chest rubs like Vicks to help ease breathing, especially at night
Immune support
Vitamin C and zinc to support immune defence
Vitamin D especially important during lower sunlight months
Herbal options such as Sambucol’s echinacea or elderberry range
Home monitoring and hygiene
Digital thermometer to track fever accurately
Hand sanitiser and antibacterial soap to help reduce the spread of germs
Tissues and wipes to keep surfaces clean
Comfort and recovery
Electrolyte drinks to help prevent dehydration during illness
Herbal teas and honey to soothe the throat and support hydration
Lip balm and moisturiser to combat dry winter skin
Having these items on hand means you’re not caught out when symptoms hit. It’s a simple way to keep your household comfortable, prepared and one step ahead of winter bugs.
Sambucol Black Elderberry Immune Defence Forte Capsules
Vicks Vaporub
Difflam Lozenges
Codral Day Night Day + Night Capsules
Training through winter
STAYING HEALTHY AND INJURY-FREE
For many athletes in Far North Queensland, this time of year is peak training season. With events like Cairns Ironman held around this time, winter conditions bring cooler mornings, lower humidity and more comfortable conditions for endurance. Many athletes find they can train longer and more efficiently in mild winter temperatures because the body doesn’t overheat as quickly.
That said, your body still works hard to regulate temperature, meaning hydration and energy remain just as important as they do in summer. Even in cooler weather, you’re still losing fluids and electrolytes across swim, bike and run sessions. Incorporating performance-focused hydration like Endura can help maintain endurance, support recovery and keep energy levels stable during longer training blocks.
Even if it’s not freezing out, injuries can creep up if you’re not prepared. Muscles tend to feel tighter on cooler mornings, so skipping a warm-up can lead to strains or reduced performance. A quick warm-up, some mobility work and a little recovery support go a long way. Think about using products such as ICE Magnesium Muscle Recovery Spray and the Medi Pak range.
What sets winter training apart is consistency and preparing your body properly. Supporting your immune system with supplements like Nature’s Way or Swisse Vitamins can help you stay on track when training loads ramp up. With the right support in place, winter can easily become your most productive training season.
Nutra Naturals Broths and Collagen Range Urox
A SIMPLE WINTER SKIN ROUTINE
1
Exfoliate gently
Exfoliation is all about less is more. Over-exfoliating in winter can worsen dryness and sensitivity. Go for a gentle approach that lifts away dull skin without irritating it. This will help restore brightness and allow your moisturising products to absorb more effectively, giving that smooth, refreshed look. Look for products that use chemical exfoliants over physical scrubs. They are kinder to dry/sensitive skin.
Prep and cleanse
FROM DRY TO DEWY
As the weather cools down, your skin can start to feel the effects. Cooler air, lower humidity and more time indoors can weaken the skin barrier, leading to dryness, tightness and dullness. If you want that soft, dewy glow all season long, hydration is your best friend.
Start by focusing on hydration at every step. Swap harsh cleansers for gentle, hydrating formulas that won’t strip natural oils, and follow with a moisturiser that helps lock in water and strengthen the skin barrier. Drinking enough water also supports hydration from within, which is often overlooked in winter.
Did you know?
Hot showers strip natural oils, worsening dryness quickly. Opt for short, warm showers.
SPF
Don’t skip SPF, even in winter. UV exposure still contributes to premature ageing and skin damage. Daily SPF is a simple step that protects your skin while preserving that healthy, dewy finish. Look for products that are hydrating and not heavy. These might have ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerine or niacinamide.
