Australia is seeing an unprecedented early surge in influenza cases, with infections rising over 50% compared to this time last year. Health authorities are warning the population to get vaccinated now, as hospitalisations and deaths begin to mount.
With more than 46,300 confirmed cases reported between January and March 2025, influenza has arrived well ahead of its typical seasonal peak. Public health experts say a combination of international trends, vaccine fatigue and increased testing may be fuelling the early outbreak.
Influenza Season Starts Months Ahead of Schedule
Australia’s flu season is off to a record-setting start, with lab-confirmed cases exceeding any previous totals recorded during the first quarter of the year.
According to data from the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS), infections from January to March 2025 are more than 50% higher than the same period in 2024. Health officials warn that this early wave may precede a prolonged or more severe season.
Infectious diseases specialist Dr Paul Griffin from Mater Health Services stated that “inter-seasonal activity” is far higher than expected particularly given Australia’s current warmer climate.
Last year, over 365,000 Australians contracted the flu, and more than 4,200 required hospital care. Between January and August 2024 alone, 810 people died due to influenza, nearly double the deaths recorded in the same period in 2023.
According to the Australian Medical Association, people are advised to receive their flu vaccinations from April onwards. President Dr Danielle McMullen urged Australians to “start booking appointments now” and stressed that general practitioners are prepared to deliver vaccines safely to both the general population and vulnerable groups.
Vulnerable Groups Face Heightened Risks as Vaccinations Lag
High-risk populations remain a key concern as case numbers continue to climb. According to CSL Seqirus medical director Dr Jules Bayliss, vulnerable individuals — including children under five, adults over 65, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, pregnant women, smokers, immunocompromised patients and those with chronic conditions — face a significantly higher chance of hospitalisation or death from the flu.
In South Australia alone, 2,324 flu cases have been reported so far this year, nearly 700 more than at the same time in 2024. Only Queensland and Western Australia currently provide free influenza vaccinations to all residents, while other states limit access through the National Immunisation Program.
“Even young and healthy individuals” should be vaccinated, according to Dr Bayliss, emphasising that the circulating strains can still cause severe illness.
More than seven million flu vaccine doses have been distributed nationwide, but experts are concerned about declining uptake rates. According to Dr Griffin, vaccine fatigue and misinformation remain significant barriers, with many Australians mistakenly believing the vaccine causes flu or is ineffective.
Health leaders continue to encourage early immunisation and medical attention for flu symptoms, particularly as cooler months approach and infection rates are expected to rise further.
