Australia is currently grappling with an unprecedented rise in respiratory illnesses as the nation heads into the winter season. So far this year, over 83,000 cases of influenza have been reported—already surpassing last year’s total by more than 10,000 cases for the same period. Alongside this, health authorities have recorded 67,000 cases of COVID-19 and more than 52,000 cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Medical experts are calling this surge the highest level of flu activity Australia has seen outside the traditional winter months. The situation is further complicated by low vaccination rates, with less than 12 per cent of children under five years old and just 7.6 per cent of children aged five to fifteen vaccinated against influenza. Among older Australians, fewer than half have received the flu vaccine so far in 2025.
Dr. Michael Wright, President of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), emphasized the urgency of vaccination: “The flu must be taken seriously, and these low vaccination rates should be ringing alarm bells,” he said. “Earlier this year, we called for action following more than 46,000 lab-confirmed flu cases, a 50% spike compared to the same period last year. We’re also seeing an alarming fall in vaccination rates nationwide compared to previous years.”
Health authorities continue to urge all eligible Australians to get vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19 to protect themselves and reduce strain on the healthcare system during this challenging respiratory illness period.
“The number one step people can take to help keep themselves, their family, and their community safe, is to get vaccinated. Influenza is a serious illness, and the vaccine save lives”, Dr Wright said.
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