Two states have already made vaccinations free in an attempt to quell booming influenza numbers, and experts have called for other states to follow suit.
Five jurisdictions reported a doubling of their monthly influenza notifications between May and June.
The latest data from the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System has revealed that the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria saw the number of recoded influenza cases double in June compared to May. The numbers come as the nation saw upwards of 150,000 cases during the first half of the year*.
Case notifications increased by 124% between the fifth and sixth months of 2025 (25,985 to 58,208), driven by significant increases in South Australia (2106 to 5182, 146% increase), Victoria (7013 to 16,700, 138%), NSW (9111 to 21,029, 131%) and Queensland (4571 to 9372, 105%).
The ACT recorded a 150% increase, with numbers jumping from 625 to 1560, while Tasmania (473 to 840) and Western Australia (1825 to 3241) both saw a 77% increase in month-to-month cases. The Northern Territory was relatively steady by comparison (261 to 284), recording just a 9% increase in notifications between May and June.
Queensland has made flu vaccines free for the remainder of 2025 in an effort to combat rising case numbers, while Western Australia have made flu vaccines free for the remainder of July.
“Getting a flu shot is the best and easiest way to keep yourself, your family, and your community as safe as possible. Flu vaccines are recommended for everyone aged over six months of age,” RACGP Queensland chair Dr Cathryn Hester said earlier this week.
“GPs are the most trusted and accessed provider of immunisations, and we are ready and willing to help Queenslanders reduce the risk of becoming unwell with preventable illnesses like influenza.”
There was a similar message from Dr Ramya Raman, RACGP WA chair and vice president.
“We can keep everyone safer, including those too young to get a vaccine, by reducing the severity and caseload of influenza in the community. That means fewer hospitalisations, fewer deaths, and easier recovery if you do become ill. So, if you haven’t had your flu vaccine yet, visit your GP in July.
“Flu immunisation coverage is down, so if you haven’t had a flu shot this year, now is the time. We can’t be complacent.
“Getting a flu shot is the best and easiest way to keep yourself, your family, and your community as safe as possible. Flu vaccines are recommended for everyone aged over six months of age.
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In other infectious disease news, WA Health has been forced to issue an urgent warning to healthcare practitioners after a report earlier this week from the West Australian suggesting patients had been given the wrong RSV immunisation.
“It is essential to check the correct RSV immunisation product is being given prior to administration,” WA Health said.
“Recent reporting to the Australian Immunisation Register and Western Australia Vaccine Safety Surveillance System has indicated that some Respiratory Syncytial Virus immunisation products have been administered incorrectly.”
Different RSV vaccines are available for different groups of patients, including nirsevimab (for children up to two years old), Abrysvo (for women who are 28-36 weeks pregnant or for adults aged over 60 years) and Arexvy (also for adults over 60).
Last month the TGA reported that they had received 24 reports of pregnant patients receiving Arexvy, 24 reports of children less than a year old receiving Abrysvo and 36 reports of nirsevimab being administered to females aged 15-54. There had been nine reports of adverse events occurring in patients as a result of these errors, including fatigue, lethargy, fever, rash, pain and vomiting.
Administration errors can be reported to state or territory health departments or the TGA.
*NNDSS data correct as of 4 July 2025
