The flu season has kicked off with a slow start, and the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) is urging people to take advantage of this opportunity to get vaccinated. With a record-breaking year of flu cases in 2025, the RACGP is emphasizing the importance of vaccination, especially for vulnerable groups like children, seniors, and those at higher risk. This year, the flu vaccination uptake among patients under five years old is 15.7% higher than in 2025 and 16.1% higher than in 2024, which is a positive sign. However, the RACGP's President, Dr. Michael Wright, warns against complacency, as the flu season can still be unpredictable. He highlights the benefits of needle-free intranasal vaccines, which have been made free for young children in several states, including NSW, Queensland, WA, and SA. This initiative has led to increased vaccination coverage, which is crucial for preventing severe flu cases and hospital admissions. Dr. Wright calls on politicians to embrace intranasal vaccines as a solution and advocates for government subsidies to make these vaccines accessible to all families. The slow start to the flu season provides an opportunity to protect not only against influenza but also against COVID and RSV, which are also available from GPs. This is a critical time for public health, and the RACGP's message is a call to action for individuals and policymakers to prioritize vaccination and take proactive measures to safeguard the health of the community.
