Flu Deaths Surpass COVID‑19 Amid Record-Breaking Season
03 Nov 2025
In August 2025, there were 211 influenza deaths, compared with 153 deaths from COVID-19, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
So far this year, there have been 1,473 COVID-19 deaths, 977 influenza deaths, and 149 deaths from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Between January and August, COVID-19 deaths were lower than in 2023 and 2024, while influenza and RSV deaths were higher.
The data coincides with record-breaking flu case numbers, with over 425,000 cases confirmed nationwide, 26% of which occurred in children aged nine and under.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright described the statistics as a “wake-up call” amid declining vaccination rates.
“There’s the notion of vaccine fatigue and misinformation, but we should focus on ensuring as many people as possible are protected,” Dr Wright said.
“Lower vaccination rates are likely due to multiple factors, but reversing this decline is critical.”
The Annual Immunisation Coverage Report 2024 shows that full vaccination rates for children fell across all key milestones:
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12 months: 92.8% → 91.6%
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24 months: 90.8% → 89.4%
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60 months: 93.3% → 92.7%
Influenza vaccination coverage also decreased:
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Children 6 months to 5 years: 30.3% → 27.6%
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Children 5 to 10 years: 17.9% → 15.6%
All jurisdictions saw declines except the Northern Territory, with Western Australia experiencing the largest drop, from 28.8% to 22.9%.
Factors contributing to the decline include:
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Safety and necessity concerns
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Increasing number of vaccines on the National Immunisation Program schedule
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Vaccine fatigue
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Reduced confidence in childhood vaccination
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Polarisation linked to COVID-19 vaccination debates
To address the decline, the RACGP is advocating for expanded access to the intranasal flu vaccine.
“For young children, the intranasal vaccine provides protection without the distress of a needle. Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia will offer it in 2026, and other states and territories should follow,” Dr Wright said.
Sources:
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Australian Bureau of Statistics, Causes of Death, Australia, 2025
