Lexi Webster
Influenza, or the flu, is a contagious virus that spreads easily from person to person and infects the nose, throat, and lungs. In Australia, there are around 3,500 flu-related deaths each year, with approximately 18,000 hospitalisations. While vaccination is recommended for all Australians aged six months and older, the flu vaccine must be updated annually to account for new strains of the virus. This constant evolution of the virus makes it challenging to prevent and treat influenza effectively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average number of deaths from flu each year | 3500 |
| Number of deaths from flu in 2025 (as of March) | 44 |
| Number of deaths from flu in 2024 | 18 |
| Number of deaths from flu in 2023 | 11 |
| Number of confirmed flu cases in Australia in 2017 | 251,147 |
| Number of confirmed flu cases in Australia in 2019 | 304,593 |
| Number of confirmed flu cases in Australia in 2016 | 90,860 |
| Number of confirmed flu cases in Australia in 2018 | 58,856 |
| Number of laboratory-confirmed influenza cases in Australia in 2025 (as of 11 August) | 269,433 |
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What You'll Learn
Flu vaccination reporting
Australia experiences around 3,500 flu-related deaths each year, with 18,000 hospitalisations. The flu is a highly contagious infection of the airways, and while most cases get better without treatment, it can be dangerous for babies, young children, pregnant women, and people with underlying medical conditions. It can also make existing medical problems worse, for example, causing asthma attacks. In severe cases, the flu can lead to pneumonia, an extreme inflammatory response, or secondary bacterial infections. Therefore, annual flu vaccination is highly recommended as the best protection against the virus.
In Australia, flu vaccination reporting to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) is mandatory for all Australians aged 6 months and older. The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends influenza vaccination for specific groups, and it is free under the National Immunisation Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and older, as well as for people with certain medical conditions.
The peak flu season in Australia is generally from June to September, so it is recommended to get the annual influenza vaccine anytime from April onwards. The highest level of protection occurs in the first 3 to 4 months following vaccination. However, it is never too late to get vaccinated since the flu can circulate in the community all year round.
There are several systems in place to monitor influenza activity in Australia, including the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) and Flu Tracking, a voluntary online health surveillance system. However, it is important to note that these systems may not fully capture influenza activity as many people do not get tested or experience delays in reporting.
Overall, flu vaccination is an important public health measure in Australia, with reporting systems in place to monitor coverage rates and ensure protection during peak flu seasons.
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Flu cases in hospitals
Australia is currently facing a challenging flu season, with a significant increase in cases and hospitalisations putting pressure on the country's health system. The Australian Medical Association has expressed concern over the impact of the flu on Western Australia's health system, describing it as a "horror flu season". The situation is similar in Queensland, where hospitals are struggling to manage the influx of flu patients, resulting in the postponement of elective surgeries.
The rise in flu cases has been attributed to low vaccination rates, with vaccine uptake at a record low, impacting the high influenza numbers. This is particularly concerning for high-risk groups, including the elderly, young children, and individuals with existing medical conditions, who are more susceptible to severe complications from the flu, such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
In the midst of this challenging flu season, hospitals in affected states are feeling the strain. In Western Australia, ambulances have been ramped at hospitals for over 7,000 hours in a month, indicating the immense pressure on the state's health system. The situation is further exacerbated by the rise in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases, which primarily affects infants and leads to hospitalisations.
While most flu cases resolve without treatment, hospitalisations are necessary for severe cases or those with medical complications. The flu can cause serious health issues, including secondary bacterial infections, extreme inflammatory responses in the lungs, and even multi-organ failure in the most severe instances. Therefore, individuals with severe symptoms, breathing difficulties, or underlying medical conditions are advised to seek medical attention or go to the hospital.
To manage the surge in flu cases and alleviate the pressure on hospitals, various measures have been suggested. Dr Kyle Hoath, AMA WA President, has proposed utilising facilities like hotels and private hospitals to enhance capacity and address the broader issues within the state's health system. Additionally, health authorities continue to urge Australians to vaccinate against the flu, as vaccination remains the best protection against the virus and can help prevent severe infections and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.
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Flu-related deaths in 2025
Flu-related deaths in Australia have been on a downward trajectory in recent years. In 2025, there was a notable decrease in the number of flu-related fatalities compared to previous years. While the exact number of flu-related deaths for the full year of 2025 is not yet available, preliminary data offers valuable insights.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there were 44 flu-related deaths in March 2025, a significant increase compared to 18 such deaths in 2024 and 11 in 2023. This spike in flu-related fatalities during March 2025 contributed to the overall higher death rate from respiratory diseases during the first quarter of that year when compared to the same period in 2024 and 2023.
However, it is important to interpret these figures with caution. The data presented only includes deaths where influenza was identified as a contributing factor on death certificates, and it may not capture the full scope of flu-related fatalities. Moreover, the reporting delays and the fact that many individuals with influenza do not get tested or seek medical attention could result in underreporting.
Despite the decrease in overall death rates across all age groups in March 2025 compared to previous years, the number of influenza cases and hospitalisations has been higher than the average of the previous five years. This trend underscores the ongoing challenges posed by influenza and the importance of annual vaccination to prevent the spread of the virus and protect high-risk groups.
Moving forward, continued surveillance, timely reporting, and promoting influenza vaccination will be crucial in mitigating the impact of the flu and reducing associated fatalities in Australia for the remainder of 2025 and beyond. Public health initiatives and awareness campaigns can play a pivotal role in encouraging vaccination, particularly among high-risk individuals, to curb the spread of influenza and decrease the likelihood of severe outcomes, including death.
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Flu vaccination effectiveness
There are around 3500 flu-related deaths in Australia each year, with 18,000 hospitalisations. The flu is a contagious virus that spreads easily from person to person and can cause serious complications, especially for high-risk groups. People who smoke and those who haven't had a flu vaccination are considered high-risk. The flu can also worsen existing medical problems such as asthma and can lead to conditions like bronchitis, croup, and ear infections. In severe cases, it can cause fluid build-up in the airways and multi-organ failure.
Annual flu vaccination is the best protection against the flu. It can help prevent infection or reduce the severity of symptoms. Vaccination also helps prevent the spread to others, which is important for protecting high-risk groups. Each year, the vaccine is designed to protect against the three or four influenza viruses predicted to be the most common in the upcoming season. However, flu viruses mutate rapidly, and new strains emerge annually, requiring yearly vaccination.
In Australia, the flu vaccine is recommended for all individuals aged six months and older. In 2022, Queensland made the influenza vaccine publicly available to all residents, resulting in higher vaccination coverage among older adults (67.5%-73%) compared to previous years. Overall vaccine effectiveness (VE) against hospitalisation was 47% in individuals aged 65 and above.
Despite the benefits of vaccination, there has been a decline in childhood vaccination rates in Australia. Influenza B has been particularly hard on children during the 2025 flu season, with the five to 16-year-old age group having the lowest vaccination uptake. This decline in vaccination rates has been attributed to the spread of misinformation on social media and a decrease in trust in the vaccine's effectiveness.
To improve vaccination uptake, some experts advocate for the government to make the flu vaccine free for everyone, sending a strong signal to the public and health professionals about its importance.
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Flu cases by state
There are around 3500 flu-related deaths in Australia each year, with 18,000 hospitalisations. However, it is important to note that flu cases may be underreported due to factors such as delayed or non-presentation to medical services. Furthermore, different states and territories in Australia have their own methods of collecting and reporting flu case data, which can affect the accuracy of the data.
In 2019, an early flu epidemic resulted in hospitalisations and deaths higher than normal for the May-July period. School closures during this period may have played a role in reducing flu transmission.
In 2025, Western Australia experienced a severe flu season, with nearly 15,000 cases, straining the state's health system. South Australia also faced a similar situation, with record-high ambulance ramping and over 18,000 flu cases that year.
In terms of state-specific data, New South Wales and Queensland report the number of samples that test positive for Influenza A and B (lab-confirmed). The Australian Capital Territory reports the number of influenza notifications to the state. Western Australia, Victoria, and South Australia report the number of lab-confirmed influenza cases without specifying the strains.
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Frequently asked questions
There are around 3,500 deaths in Australia linked to the flu each year.
304,593 people in Australia were confirmed as having the flu in 2019.
4,685 people, 46% of whom were aged 65 years and older.
The flu can lead to conditions including bronchitis, croup, and ear infections. It can also worsen existing chronic medical problems. More serious complications include pneumonia and an infection deep in the lungs, which can lead to fluid build-up in the airways and multi-organ failure.
Annual flu vaccination is the best protection against getting the flu.
