Influenza UPDATE
Information for GPs and clinicians in NSW – please distribute to all staff
Situation
 Influenza A and B notifications are increasing in all age groups and across NSW. There has been a
30.9 per cent increase in influenza notifications compared with the previous week.
 International experience suggests the possibility of a high activity influenza season in 2025.
 Influenza vaccination coverage in NSW is low across all age groups. As of 22 June, only 55.4% of
people aged 65 and over in NSW have been vaccinated this year, lower than the national coverage of
57.7%.
 COVID-19 is also circulating at moderate levels and is expected to increase. Concurrent impact is
expected from COVID-19 and influenza this winter in NSW.
 People aged 65 and over are also recommended to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination and
this can be administered at the same time as influenza vaccine.
Vaccinate to prevent and protect
 On average, each year in Australia, influenza results in an estimated 300,000 GP consultations, 18,000
hospitalisations and 3,500 deaths.
 In 2024, Australian studies suggested vaccinated people were about 55% less likely to attend general
practice or be hospitalised with influenza than unvaccinated people.
 The top barriers to influenza vaccination for older people are not thinking they need it, perceived
protection by diet and exercise, and the belief they can stay safe with good hygiene measures.
Potential strategies for GPs to increase flu vaccination
 Offer influenza vaccination to your patients as they are more likely to get vaccinated if you encourage
them to do so and discuss its importance.
 Perform a data search on patient records to identify patients 65 and over and those at-risk who do not
have a flu vaccination record this year. Consider a bulk SMS to this cohort to invite them to make a
booking.
 Request practice receptionists ask patients 65 and over who call the practice if they have had their flu
vaccine this year. If they have not, invite them to make a booking for this.
 Consider walk-in flu vaccination services.
 GPs are also encouraged to work with local residential aged care facilities for opportunities to
administer influenza vaccinations to residents.
For further information
 NSW respiratory surveillance data https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid19/Pages/reports.aspx
 Resources for influenza vaccination providers https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/fluproviders-resources.aspx
 Influenza vaccination coverage data https://ncirs.org.au/influenza-vaccination-coverage-data
Dr Christine Selvey
Director, Communicable Diseases Branch, Health Protection NSW
24 June 2025
NSW Ministry of Health
ABN 92 697 899 630
1 Reserve Rd St Leonards NSW 2065
Locked Mail Bag 2030
St Leonards NSW 1590 Tel. (02) 9391 9000
Fax. (02) 9391 9101
Website. www.health.nsw.gov.au