Australian Recorded Flu Cases the Highest on Record

Influenza virus pinkeyes/Shutterstock

Australia has recorded the highest number of influenza cases since national surveillance records began, according to the latest data.

Statistics from the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System reveal the nation has recorded 352,782 laboratory-confirmed flu cases in 2024.

This data shows a 22 percent increase in influenza cases since 2023, when authorities recorded 289,133 cases of the virus.

The previous peak occurred in 2019, with 313,454 cases.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, flu cases dropped dramatically, reaching only 21,343 flu cases in 2020, and sliding to 750 in 2021.

By 2022, when Australia emerged from lockdown, recorded flu cases jumped back up to 233,452 laboratory-confirmed cases.

The current data only includes flu cases reported to a doctor or medical professionals, and does not capture those who have not been tested for the virus.

Influenza symptoms include fever, coughing, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, joint pains, tiredness, and in some cases nausea and vomiting.

New South Wales (NSW) has recorded the highest number of influenza cases in 2024, with 157,620 laboratory-recorded notifications.

The next highest is Queensland, with 77,490 flu cases, followed by 68,228 in Victoria, 21,578 in South Australia, and 16,088 in Western Australia.

In the Australian Capital Territory, 4,708 cases have been recorded, followed by 3,833 in Tasmania and 3,237 in the Northern Territory.

Flu Vaccine Rates Decline

Meanwhile, the Australian Immunisation Register flu vaccination data (pdf) reveals jab numbers have so far declined in 2024 compared to the previous year.

Between March 1 and Oct. 6, nearly 8.8 million Australians have taken the flu vaccine, down from 9.3 million in 2023 and 11.1 million in 2022.

In line with population, vaccination rates were highest in NSW, followed by Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, and South Australia.

Further research (pdf) conducted by the Immunisation Coalition shows that vaccination rates in Australia among children under five have also fallen in 2024.

The survey of 1022 parents found that 27 percent of parents answered “yes” when asked if their child was vaccinated against the flu in 2024, down from 31 percent when the same question was asked in Sept. 2023.

Key reasons not to vaccinate were the belief that influenza is not a serious disease, that vaccination does not protect their child against influenza, and concerns over vaccine safety, according to the Immunisation Coalition.