In the first half of this year, there has been a significant drop in total case numbers, with only one third of the total cases recorded between January and May 2025 reported.
Despite the drop in cases, RACGP president Dr Michael Wright said last year was the worst year on record of flu cases and people must not be complacent.
“We are seeing fewer cases of the flu than last year, but that doesn’t mean we can be complacent,” Dr Michael Wright said.
“We can’t predict how bad a flu season will be, but we can prevent it from being worse than necessary by ensuring everyone gets a flu vaccination, and especially children, seniors and those at higher risk of disease.”
The National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System reports there have been about 36,800 confirmed cases of influenza this year.
Since the implementation of the needle-free intranasal vaccines for young children, uptake in children aged five and below has been 15.7 per cent higher than 2025.
This year, children aged two to four have been able to get the intranasal vaccine for free in NSW, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. Residents in other states must pay privately.
Dr Wright emphasised the importance of the vaccine and asked governments to embrace the intranasal vaccine as a solution that worked.
“Free intranasal vaccines seem to have driven increased uptake, which is excellent,” he said.
“We now need to embrace what works. This is a call to governments in Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT and the NT: help protect families by subsidising free access to intranasal vaccines.”
The slow start to the flu season provides the opportunity to protect some of the most vulnerable Australians.
If you have any questions regarding the vaccine or would like further information, speak to your local GP.
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