South Australia possibly facing a record flu season as cases surge in first week of winter

It’s already been a bad year for flu in SA but now health authorities are bracing as cases surge compared to the same time last year – and they have issued a clear warning.

South Australia is facing potentially its worst flu season in years, as cases surge in the first week of winter. Picture: iStock

South Australia is facing potentially its worst flu season in years, as cases surge in the first week of winter.

In the past week, more than 460 cases of flu have been recorded, bringing the total cases reported this year to more than 5000.

Comparatively, at this time last year, there had only been 3343 recorded cases.

That year, 29 South Australians died from the flu.

So far this year, one death has been recorded in the state.

Associate Professor Peter Subramaniam, who is president of the Australian Medical Association’s SA branch, said it was important to get the flu shot annually.

AMA SA president Associate Professor Peter Subramaniam has urged South Australians to get vaccinated. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“It’s clear from the figures that South Australia is confronting high rates of flu early in the season,” he told The Advertiser.

“Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, protect your family and protect the hospital system.

“We understand there’s vaccination fatigue – but flu isn’t going away. The best protection is still prevention.”

A surge in flu cases has triggered a reminder from SA Health to get vaccinated. Picture: iStock

The surge in cases has also triggered an SA Health reminder to get vaccinated.

“If you are one of the many South Australian’s eligible for a free flu vaccine and haven’t received yours yet, now is the time before flu numbers start to climb,” a department spokesperson said.

According to department figures, almost 30 per cent of South Australians have received the flu vaccine, making it the highest uptake of any mainland state.

Uptake was higher still among people at greater risk of developing complications from the flu, according to SA Health.

“As at the end of May 2025, enough vaccine has been distributed to vaccinate over two thirds of the population eligible for a free flu vaccine.”

Under the National Immunisation Program, flu vaccinations are free for people at high-risk including those aged 65 and over, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and over, and people with underlying medical conditions.

In South Australia, flu vaccinations are also free for children aged six months to five years.