Overview
- Health officials, who briefed the public Tuesday, reported about 29,300 flu cases so far in 2026, with COVID-19 at 31,000 and RSV 16% lower than the same time last year.
- Since August 2025, deaths involving influenza have exceeded those involving COVID-19 in Australia.
- The 2026 flu vaccine was updated to better match likely viruses, with new H1N1 and H3N2 components based on global surveillance.
- Free needle-free nasal spray flu vaccines are now offered to young children in NSW and South Australia for ages 2–4, in Queensland for ages 2–5, and in Western Australia for ages 2–11.
- Vaccination uptake stayed low last year, with about 25% of funded young children, 30% of working-age adults, and 60% of people 65+ vaccinated, and experts say shots cut the risk of severe illness and hospital stays.