Warning as doctors fear this flu season could be ‘even worse’ than last year

This year’s flu season is on track to be “even worse” than last year’s, with doctors warning its severity could put people in hospital or even prove fatal.

There were more than 365,000 flu cases reported across Australia last year, with more than 4200 people admitted to hospital, marking the country’s worst flu season.

Australians have now been urged to roll up their sleeves and book themselves in for a flu shot, with Bupa medical director Tony MacDermott warning this year’s flu season was on track to be even worse than the last.

“This year is on track to be even worse, with twice as many flu cases already reported in Australia compared to the same time last year, and the flu season starting earlier than ever,” Dr MacDermott said.

“The severity of this flu season could result in a very significant number of preventable illnesses, hospitalisations, and even deaths.

“The flu has already infected tens of thousands of Australians each month in 2025, and that’s before we’ve reached peak flu season.

“People are slowly losing the good habits learnt during the Covid-19 pandemic, such as getting vaccinated and staying home if you’re sick. These things are as important as ever.”

He said vaccination rates had hit a troubling decline, putting both individual and public health at risk.

“As the Covid-19 pandemic slips further into people’s memories, we’re seeing an ongoing trend of vaccine complacency — and this is definitely not the year for it,” Dr MacDermott said.

“Australians need to roll up their sleeves for the flu shot — it will potentially save their live, and those around them who are at risk.

“Getting the flu vaccine is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do to protect yourself, your family, and your community.”

Only 61 per cent of adults aged above 65 had flu vaccinations last year - a nine per cent drop since 2022.

Meanwhile, only a quarter of children under five were vaccinated last year.

The influenza vaccine is free for eligible Australians under the National Immunisation Program.

This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and over, children aged between six months and five years old, pregnant women, people aged over 65, and those aged six months or over who have medical conditions that put them at a higher risk of getting a serious disease.

The fresh warnings come following outbreaks of measles, legionnaires’ disease, and Japanese encephalitis across the country.

Queenslanders were last week told to remain vigilant after a person unknowingly infected with measles attended multiple popular tourist spots, while Sydneysiders who have visited the CBD in the past 10 or so days have been warned to stay on high alert after cases of legionnaires’ disease were recorded.

Two people have also died in NSW this year after contracting Japanese encephalitis.