With Australian influenza cases rising after one of the worst flu seasons on record in the Northern hemisphere, the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is calling on patients to get vaccinated.
Even in Western Australia, where lab-confirmed flu cases have increased less than other states, hospitalisations and cases are significantly above the five-year average, while vaccination coverage has fallen.
At an RACGP WA webinar on Thursday 3 July, WA Health Senior Medical Advisor in Professor Paul Effler shared statistics for the state covering the year to 29 June. In Western Australia:
- There were 10,522 influenza notifications, 60.45% more than the five-year average of 6552 for the same period
- 1848 Western Australians were hospitalised, 55.29% more than the five-year average of 1190
- Influenza vaccination coverage was 26.1% of all people, versus a five-year average of 33%.
With Western Australia extending its free flu vaccination program for another month to July 2025, RACGP WA Chair and Vice President Dr Ramya Raman called on patients to roll up their sleeves.
"Last year 45 people died of the flu in Western Australia, 12 more than 2023," she said.
"This year, there have been more than 1,800 hospitalisations, 55% above the five-year average.
"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."
"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.
"WA and Queensland have led the way by making the flu vaccinations free. With the rise in cases across Australia, it's something other states should consider too."
Across Australia, in 2025 there have been over 150,000 lab-confirmed influenza cases. From May to June 2025, monthly influenza cases more than doubled in most jurisdictions, increasing by:
- 145.60% in the ACT, from 625 to 1535 for a total of 2596 from January to June 2025
- 133.04% in Victoria, from 7012 to 16,341 for a total of 37,864
- 131.77% in South Australia, from 2106 to 4881 for a total of 10,798
- 129.51% in NSW, from 9111 to 20,911 for a total of 56,957
- 101.88% in Queensland, from 4571 to 9228 for a total of 30,024
- 77.59% in Tasmania, from 473 to 840 for a total of 2242
- 9.23% in the NT, from 260 to 284 for a total of 1940.
The RACGP welcomed governments in Queensland and Western Australia for announcing free flu vaccinations for 2025; all state governments announced free vaccinations when cases surged in 2022.
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