Qld: 6 children hospitalised and more than 15,000 flu cases recorded

Six children have already been hospitalised, and over 15,000 flu cases have been recorded this year, with the state’s peak health body warning emerging strains from the Northern Hemisphere could lead to a particularly severe flu season.

Australian Medical Association Queensland president Dr Nick Yim

Six children have been hospitalised with the flu and 15,666 cases have already been recorded this year, as the peak body warns vaccination rates are in steady decline.

Latest figures show flu cases recorded in May are 36.4 per cent higher than the same period in 2024, with AMAQ president Nick Yim warning “vaccination fatigue” was a major contributing factor.

This follows the 200 deaths from the infection last year, and as of April 20 this year, six children have already been hospitalised with influenza - with 4,000 individuals aged six months to 17 years have been diagnosed between January 1 and April 20.

Dr Yim warned Queensland was expecting a particularly bad flu season this year based on strains emerging from the Northern Hemisphere.

“Anyone can get very sick from the virus. While older Queenslanders are more at risk from the disease, being young and in good physical health is no guarantee against the potential adverse effects of influenza,” Dr Yim said.

Queenslanders urged to get vaccinated ahead of what could be a horror flu season.

“In the short term, this could mean pneumonia or sepsis, which can be life threatening.”

In April 264,000 Queenslanders are already vaccinated, with Dr Yim concerned about the continued drop in vaccination rates due to “vaccination fatigue and the spread of misinformation.”

“Vaccines are our best tool for preventing highly contagious diseases from circulating and making people very sick, especially our most vulnerable,” he said.

“They also help to avoid putting undue pressure on our busy emergency departments.”

An influenza infection can cause damage to the lungs and exacerbate existing lung or heart disease with a weakened immune system leaving Queenslanders vulnerable to other infections.

“Flu vaccinations are required every year to protect against new strains,” he said.

Originally published as Qld: 6 children hospitalised and more than 15,000 flu cases recorded