Doctors around Australia have expressed alarm after a record-breaking flu season that was accompanied by the lowest vaccination rates in five years.
There have been over 410,000 lab-confirmed cases of influenza in 2025 according to the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP), which has beaten the previous record of 365,000 last year.
This is an increase of nearly 11 per cent from last year, and 13,000 cases have been confirmed in October alone.
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The rise in flu cases has been accompanied by declining vaccination rates, with only 25.7 per cent of children between six months and five years old being vaccinated and just 60.5 per cent of Aussies over the age of 60.
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said the data should be hugely concerning to all Australians due to the overall health risk it poses.
"This is not a record we want to be breaking, we must boost vaccination rates and reverse this trend," he said.
"Getting vaccinated not only help keeps yourself as safe as possible, but also your friends and family members. This should act as a wake-up call to all patients across Australia."
He is especially concerned about the declining vaccination rates in children, who are at increased risk of contracting severe influenza.
Wright acknowledges children's fear of needles could be a contributing factor, but encouraged states to continue with needle-free vaccinations.
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Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and New South Waleshave already announced such measures, and Wright is urging other states to follow
"Many kids are fearful of needles, which can stall vaccination efforts – particularly as two-thirds of parents say the distress they feel when thinking about vaccinating their child acts as a barrier," Wright said.
"That's why needle-free vaccinations are a game changer. I can't imagine a more effective and timely way to boost vaccinations for these kids.
He insisted trials of similar measures overseas had proven to be safe and effective.
"The intranasal sprays have been thoroughly tested for safety and efficacy overseas," he said.
"Finland, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain having been administering them for years and these countries have seen substantial increases in vaccination coverage in high-risk patient groups."
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