The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is urging Queenslanders to roll up their sleeve and receive a flu vaccination, with the state recording more influenza cases in the past six months than all of 2024.
Up to June 29 this year, 29,514 cases had been recorded, compared to the 24,708 confirmed last year, and experts have been warning about the dangers of low vaccination rates across the nation throughout 2025. In Queensland, as of 29 June, just 16% of children aged six months to five years, 11.5% of children aged 5–15 years, and 58% of those aged over 65, have been vaccinated.
RACGP Queensland Chair Dr Cathryn Hester is concerned that Queenslanders are being put at risk by falling vaccination rates.
"The flu season is hitting families hard, and I encourage more Queenslanders to seek vaccination. Complacency can be very costly," she said.
"The number one thing you can do to help keep yourself, your family, and your safe from this infectious disease is to get vaccinated. Unfortunately, vaccination rates have dropped in Queensland, and across Australia. It's particularly concerning that such a small percentage of children and older people have accessed vaccination in the last year. This is resulting in many people unnecessarily becoming unwell, and in avoidable deaths. This year we're see many hospitalisations for patients aged 65 and older, and we are treating many very miserable patients in our practices.
"Over the last few years vaccine complacency has set in, and some patients seem incautious about infectious diseases. Influenza is not a mild cold; this virus can land you in hospital, it can take your life, or the life of someone you love, and it must be taken seriously.
"Getting a flu jab isn't just about protecting your own health, you can also help keep your family and friends as safe as possible. If more people are vaccinated, the virus is less likely to spread, including to patients more vulnerable to severe effects such as older people, infants and those with underlying health conditions."
Dr Hester reminded patients that the vaccination is free for all Queenslanders.
"The vaccines are safe and completely free of charge for higher risk patients under the National Immunisation Program, or NIP, and earlier this year we warmly welcomed the Crisafulli Government announcing free influenza vaccines for all Queenslanders in 2025. Every state and territory should roll out their own scheme so that no one misses out, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis.
"Influenza needlessly takes lives every year, and this year's case numbers are very concerning, so please seek protection from this illness by getting vaccinated as soon as possible."
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