As we move into the cooler autumn months after a long, hot Australian summer, we know that flu season is not far away.
Despite increasingly unpredictable seasonal patterns in Australia, with longer summers and shorter winters, the peak flu period still usually falls between June and September. Health authorities recommend booking your vaccination in April and May to protect yourself, your family and your community, ahead of the flu season.
According to statistics, flu vaccination rates remained suboptimal, with rates declining across all age cohorts last year in Australia. 2025 was marked the worst year on record for influenza - Opens in new tab, with more than 500,000 laboratory cases were identified, including more than 20,000 hospitalisations.
The 2025 flu season in Australia followed patterns that differed from what was typical. Influenza activity remained elevated longer than usual, extending well beyond winter and was marked by shifts in the dominant circulating strains.
Towards the end of winter, a fast-spreading H3N2 variant emerged, known as the “Super K” strain and, in August, it was a leading cause of respiratory-related deaths in Australia. There is no current evidence that this variant is more severe, but it is easily transmitted, which has accounted for multiple cases of recent summer flu outbreaks in Australia.
Professor Chris Blyth, a Paediatrician at Perth Children’s Hospital and head of the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases at the Kids Research Institute Australia said that we cannot underestimate the importance of the humble flu vaccine.
“Vaccinations continue to be one of the most effective ways to protect children and communities from serious infectious diseases,” Professor Blyth says.
“This year we’re making it easier than ever for kids to get theirs with the introduction of an intranasal flu vaccine in Australia. It has been part of vaccination programs for children in the northern hemisphere for over twenty years. This is a gentle nasal spray and provides the same protection against influenza A and B as traditional injectable vaccines. We believe this will be a game changer to support flu vaccination uptake among children and a great alternative for kids who have a fear of needles. This will protect them, but also because children often spread flu, provide significant protection to those around them
The new intranasal flu vaccine option has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods of Administration (TGA) for children aged between 2 and 17 years. Additionally, Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales, have announced that there will be State funded programs available* for this new intranasal flu vaccine, allowing better access.
For more information on the intranasal flu vaccine or to book in for your 2026 Flu Vaccination, please visit your local Pharmacy 777 Pharmacy or click here.
*Age eligibility for state funded programs applies. State funded access is available for children aged 2 to 11 years in WA, 2 to 5 years in QLD and 2 to 4 years in NSW. A pharmacist administration fee applies for children aged 2 to 4 years in SA. For children who do not meet the age eligibility for state funded programs, the intranasal flu vaccine is available privately for children aged 17 years and under; contact your local Pharmacy 777 for private stock availability and to book an appointment.
