We are approaching the Influenza season again. In 2025 it stretched from March through to November. There were 410,000 lab documented cases. I had so many sick patients and some hospitalised last year.
Influenza – also known as the ‘flu’ – is a highly contagious respiratory illness, which spreads easily through the air or when people touch contaminated surfaces. In many cases the disease is mild, with symptoms such as chills, fever and fatigue, and it can also be spread through asymptomatic infections in people who do not even know they are sick.
It is not a trivial disease with 1700 deaths in 2025. Influenza does not just increase the risk of pneumonia and hospitalisations — it can also trigger heart attacks by inflaming arteries, disrupting plaques, and straining the heart.
Annual ‘flu vaccinations can almost halve the risk of heart attacks in older adults and people with heart disease. Only 60% of older Australians were immunised in 2025.
There were over 3000 children under 5 presenting to emergency for influenza in NSW last year with 600 hospital admissions. There were only 25.7% of children immunised in 2025 aged 6 months to 5 years. Even children who are well can get very sick with influenza.
There are so many reasons to be immunised. This is why workplaces buy ‘flu vaccines for their workers. There is money lost if their people are sick with the flu.
The ‘flu vaccine is free for the at-risk groups of over 65, pregnant women, asthma and chronic respiratory disease, heart disease, Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders, and children under five. Check with your GP if you qualify for a free vaccine .
WHAT IS NEW FOR AUSTRALIA
A nasal spray influenza vaccine for children 2,3 and 4 year olds. This vaccine has been used in Europe and the UK for over a decade and has been proven to be safe and effective. The nasal spray is a one spray in each nostril. No needles might encourage more children to be immunised. This vaccine is available between April to June until it runs out. Again, check with your GP.
There is also the anti viral Tamiflu that can be given if you are diagnosed early. It is effective. As with several medications last year it was in short supply.
This ‘flu season, immunisation rates need to be higher, so we can keep our community well and have less sickness, hospitalisations and death.