Australia is experiencing an unprecedented flu season, reporting over 410,000 lab-confirmed cases as of October 15, 2025. This figure has already surpassed the previous record of 365,000 cases set in 2024, prompting health professionals to raise urgent concerns about the country’s stagnating influenza vaccination rates.
Dr. Michael Wright, President of the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP), emphasized the critical need for increased vaccination efforts, describing the current situation as a “wake-up call.” He stated, “This is not a record we want to be breaking; we must boost vaccination rates and reverse this trend.” Dr. Wright highlighted the importance of vaccinations not only for individual safety but also for community protection.
Despite the alarming rise in flu cases, vaccination rates have seen a troubling decline. Only 25.7% of children aged six months to five years have received the flu vaccine in 2025, marking the lowest rate since 2021. Additionally, vaccination rates for adults over the age of 65 have dropped to 60.5%, the lowest level since 2020.
Calls for Action to Improve Vaccination Rates
Dr. Wright has called for proactive measures to enhance vaccination coverage ahead of the next flu season. He noted that several states, including Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia, have committed to implementing free childhood intranasal vaccinations for the 2026 flu season. “Needle-free vaccinations make such a difference,” he remarked, encouraging other regions to adopt similar initiatives.
The decline in vaccination rates among young children is particularly concerning, with only one in four children in this age group vaccinated. Dr. Wright pointed out that children are at an increased risk of severe flu infections and that they are contracting influenza more frequently than other demographics.
Research indicates that parental concerns about needle pain significantly hinder vaccination efforts. According to Dr. Wright, two-thirds of parents express distress at the thought of vaccinating their child, which can deter them from seeking vaccinations. He argued that needle-free options, such as intranasal sprays, could provide a viable solution.
“These intranasal vaccines have been thoroughly tested for safety and efficacy in countries like Finland, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain, which have seen substantial increases in vaccination coverage among high-risk groups,” Dr. Wright explained. He emphasized the necessity of combatting complacency to ensure that more individuals receive vaccinations and stay out of hospitals during the flu season.
Statistics Reveal Alarming Trends in Flu Cases
The statistics for 2025 reveal that Australia is experiencing its worst flu season on record when adjusted for population, with approximately 1.5% of the population experiencing a notifiable flu infection. This equates to 1,525 lab-confirmed cases per 100,000 people, representing a 10.8% increase compared to the previous year.
Among the affected, more than 44,500 infections have been reported in children under five years old, accounting for a disproportionate 10.9% of all cases. Additionally, over one-third of the flu cases have been identified in children younger than 15. As of mid-October, flu cases continue to escalate, with over 13,000 lab-confirmed cases reported for the month, nearly doubling the 7,201 cases recorded in October 2024, according to the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System.
With flu cases rising dramatically, the need for increased vaccination efforts has never been more pressing. Health authorities urge the public to take action to protect themselves and others as Australia navigates through this challenging flu season.
