Australians urged to prepare for flu season after record cases in 2024
Pharmacists are imploring Australians to vaccinate ahead of the 2025 flu season, with stark numbers revealing the highest number of cases ever and worryingly low rates of vaccination.
NSW
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Millions of kids are being left exposed to the flu, with new data exposing a shock decline in children being vaccinated – despite an explosion of cases reported in the last year.
Statistics from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance revealed just 25.7 per cent of children aged between six months and five years old were vaccinated against the flu in 2024, even though they are most at-risk of serious complications.
The same data also revealed less than a third of Australians received a flu vaccine in 2024, in a year where the nation recorded its highest ever rate of influenza cases.
That’s despite the number of cases in 2024 increasing to 364,894 – well up from 288,956 in 2023 and 234,581 in 2022.
There have been more than 30,000 cases of influenza have also recorded so far in 2025, with widespread reports increasing across the country this month.
The Immunisation Foundation of Australia’s founding director Catherine Hughes sounded the alarm for people to get vaccinated early.
“While influenza is sometimes mild, it can also be really serious, leading to hospitalisations, long-term health issues, and even death,” Ms Hughes said. “Young children often introduce the flu into the home, with schools and childcare centres being breeding grounds for bugs like influenza.
“This can result in the whole family becoming unwell, leading to time off work, time off school, and disruptions to already busy schedules.”
TerryWhite Chemmart chief pharmacist Brenton Hart also backed the call for the jab.
“Each flu season brings its own challenges, and if we experience another year of record flu case numbers and decreasing vaccination rates, it could have a big impact on our healthcare system and lead to other health issues in our communities,” Mr Hart said.
“Everyone has a part to play in maintaining community health.”
Mr Hart said staying home while feeling unwell was also fundamental to prevent the spread of illness.
Meanwhile, Australian Vaccine Services data indicates sick leave due to the flu has cost employers between $454,000,000 and $757,000,000.
“Vaccination is the best defence against severe illness, and by getting vaccinated, you’re helping to protect not just yourself, but also your loved ones and the wider community,” Mr Hart said.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said work was under way to prepare the community and the state’s health system for the upcoming winter illnesses season.
“This includes securing vaccine supply early, and preparing a comprehensive community awareness campaign,” Mr Park said. “My message to the community is this: Vaccines are the most effective way to protect you, the community and our emergency departments from the impact of winter illnesses.”
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