Queensland is looking at one of its worst flu seasons in years, at a time when government incentives appear to have failed to improve vaccination rates.
So far this year, influenza cases are nearly 20 per cent higher than they were last year, and 2,800 cases were recorded in the last week alone — the highest weekly total of 2025.
The volume of virus within the community is of real concern to experts, who forecast a potential “surge” in cases after the school holidays.
“Kids are all heading back to school in a couple of weeks, which will give them the opportunity to spread [influenza],” Dr Stephen Lambert, a senior medical officer with the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) said.
“This time last year, we probably only had a third to a half of our cases.
“So, there’s the real chance we’ll be getting a surge of cases later in winter that people still have the opportunity to protect themselves against.”
So far this year, 80 Queenslanders have died from influenza. According to Queensland Health, 300 beds are being taken up each day across the state for people with the flu.
Of the 3,000 people who have been hospitalised as a result of influenza in 2025, 92 per cent have not been vaccinated.
Influenza admissions to Queensland public hospitals so far this year.
Queensland jab rates some of the lowest
Since 2022, the Queensland government has funded free flu vaccinations, yet the state continues to have some of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, particularly amongst children.
According to data provided by NCIRS, just 16 per cent of children under five have had a flu jab so far this year in Queensland — the lowest in the country.
At 11.5 per cent, the rate of children aged between 5 to 15 who have been vaccinated is second only to the Northern Territory as the lowest in the country.
Queensland’s vaccination rates for those aged between 15 to 50 is also the second lowest nationally.
“I think so many people think these viruses only affect the old and heavily co-morbid, so if you’re young and fit and well, you don’t need to worry about them,” said Dr Paul Griffin, director of infectious diseases at the Mater Hospital.
“That’s certainly not the case. Unfortunately, every year we see young people without traditional risk factors end up unwell in hospital.”
While those aged over 65 are at particular risk from flu, Queensland Health warned children are some of the most effective spreaders of the virus in the community, and young children are a very vulnerable cohort.
Free vaccines not boosting uptake
So far this year, 450 children aged between six months and 17 years old have been hospitalised with influenza.
Free flu vaccinations were introduced to address a decline in the number of people getting one post-pandemic.
In 2022, 36 per cent of Queenslanders got vaccinated, declining to just 29 per cent by 2024.
This year the government extended the program, allocating $25 million towards it.
However, Dr Lambert said vaccination rates remained stubbornly low in 2025.
“I’m not sure the message is really getting out there, despite our efforts,” he said.
“I’ve spoken to friends who aren’t involved in health who haven’t been aware that they can get a free flu vaccine this year.”
Free flu vaccinations were introduced to address a decline in the number of people getting one post-pandemic. (ABC News: Michael Lloyd)
Dr Lambert said he suspected there was an element of “vaccine fatigue” in the community post-pandemic, and some complacency about the potential seriousness of influenza.
Vaccine misinformation still a concern
He said a small number of people with a strong anti-vaccination stance were also more active and effective at getting their message out there.
“They’re very energised, they’re very vitriolic … and perhaps some of that messaging leaks out into other people who were perhaps sitting on the fence,” Dr Lambert said.
“It’s a shame that’s potentially resulted in people having some hesitancy or scepticism about receiving vaccination, because they’re one of the best public health interventions we’ve had in the past 100 years.”
Dr Griffin said the amount of misinformation about vaccines was very prevalent online.
“I think it’s impossible to be immune to the impacts of that,”
he said.
“If people get their information from social media and other outlets that are just full of misinformation, then they’ll be misled to a degree that actually creates a very significant amount of harm.
“So, get your information from reputable sources.”