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Influenza

Australia Records Worst Flu Season on Record

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Australia's healthcare system is reeling under the pressure of a historic flu outbreak, with over 410,000 laboratory-confirmed cases reported in 2025. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has revealed that flu incidence has surged to 1,525 cases per 100,000 people, a nearly 11 percent increase from the previous year. Children under five and those under 15 are disproportionately affected, making up 10.9 percent and 32 percent of all cases, respectively. The RACGP is urging governments to accelerate free vaccination programs and boost vaccination rates, which have stagnated despite the soaring influenza cases.

Key Takeaways:

  • Australia has recorded its worst flu season on record, with over 410,000 laboratory-confirmed cases reported in 2025, surpassing last year's record of 365,000 cases.
  • The flu incidence in Australia stands at 1,525 cases per 100,000 people, a nearly 11 percent increase from 2024.
  • Children under five and those under 15 are disproportionately affected, making up 10.9 percent and 32 percent of all cases, respectively.
  • Flu vaccination coverage has stagnated, with 25.7 percent of children aged six months to five years and 60.5 percent of people aged over 65 vaccinated in 2025.
  • The RACGP is urging governments to accelerate free vaccination programs and boost vaccination rates.
  • Intranasal flu vaccines have been proven safe and effective overseas, with countries like Finland, Britain, Italy, and Spain using them for years and seeing significant increases in vaccination coverage among high-risk groups.
  • Authorities in the states of Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia plan to offer free intranasal flu vaccinations for children ahead of the 2026 flu season.

Statistics:

  • 410,000 laboratory-confirmed flu cases in Australia in 2025 (RACGP data)
  • 1,525 cases per 100,000 people in Australia (RACGP data)
  • 11 percent increase in flu incidence from 2024 (RACGP data)
  • 10.9 percent of all cases among children under five (RACGP data)
  • 32 percent of all cases among children under 15 (RACGP data)
  • 25.7 percent vaccination coverage among children aged six months to five years in 2025 (RACGP data)
  • 60.5 percent vaccination coverage among people aged over 65 in 2025 (RACGP data)
  • Over 44,500 flu infections among children under five in 2025 (RACGP data)

Sources:

  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
  • Xinhua News Agency
  • COMTEX_469690036/2084/2025-10-21T08:38:25

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