Flu Cases Hit Record High as Vaccination Rates Fall
20 Oct 2025
Key highlights:
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New South Wales: 37% of cases
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Victoria: 23% of cases
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Children aged 9 and under: Over 25% of cases
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Vaccination rates: Only 26% of children aged 6 months to 5 years vaccinated—the lowest since 2021. Rates in adults over 65 have also fallen to their lowest since 2020.
RACGP response:
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright emphasizes the urgent need to boost vaccination rates to prevent further spread. He called on governments to:
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Improve access to vaccines
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Introduce needle-free intranasal vaccinations for children, which are already used successfully in countries like Finland, the UK, Italy, and Spain
Why intranasal vaccines matter:
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Many children fear needles, causing delays or avoidance
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Intranasal sprays can increase vaccination uptake among high-risk groups
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Some states (QLD, NSW, SA, WA) have committed to offering free childhood intranasal vaccines ahead of the 2026 season
Dr Wright’s message:
"This is not a record we want to be breaking. We must boost vaccination rates and reverse this trend. Needle-free vaccinations are a game changer for kids and a timely way to protect our communities."
Takeaway for clinicians and parents:
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Encourage flu vaccination for children and older adults
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Consider intranasal vaccination options where available
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Reinforce the importance of timely vaccination to reduce the risk of severe illness
Source: RACGP, 2025.
