Prepare Children for the Annual ‘Back-to-School Asthma Spike’
23 Jan 2026
Clinical Associate Professor Debbie Rigby, pharmacist and Clinical Executive Lead at the National Asthma Council Australia (NAC), says now is the perfect time to get children asthma-ready for the school year.
“Every February we see a sharp rise in children admitted to hospital with asthma,” she said. “Triggers include changes in environment, exposure to viruses from classmates, and sometimes missed preventer doses over the holidays.”
She emphasised the importance of an asthma review with a GP to ensure children are on the correct medication and treatment plan. Younger children may need low-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus a reliever (salbutamol) as needed, while older children (12+) can use an anti-inflammatory reliever for symptoms, with or without daily maintenance medication, in line with updated Australian guidelines.
Vaccinations are also recommended where possible. “Parents should discuss vaccinations with their GP or pharmacist to protect children from respiratory infections,” Associate Professor Rigby said.
The NAC recommends parents follow a simple checklist for a smooth, symptom-free start to the school year:
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Schedule an asthma check-up with your GP and discuss vaccinations.
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Ensure your child takes preventer medication as prescribed.
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Share an up-to-date Written Asthma Action Plan with school staff, carers and coaches.
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Teach children to inform staff about asthma symptoms.
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Check inhaler technique to ensure children can use their medication effectively.
Resources, including video tutorials and the NAC’s Back-to-School Checklist, are available at
https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/
(Source: National Asthma Council Australia)
