2026 Flu Season: Key Update for Health Services
16 Jun 2026
NSW health authorities continue to report flu-related hospital admissions and deaths each year, showing the ongoing impact on the community.
Why Flu Still Matters Every Year
Influenza viruses change over time, which means new strains appear regularly. Because of these changes, last year’s vaccine may not fully protect against this year’s virus.
In Australia, flu is most common between May and September, although people can catch it at any time.
Getting vaccinated each year helps the body stay prepared for new virus strains.
Impact on Australians
Flu continues to put pressure on hospitals and clinics across the country. Each year it is linked to:
- thousands of deaths
- many hospital stays
- hundreds of thousands of GP visits
Recent reports also show flu-related deaths have increased over the last few years. However, vaccination rates in children and teenagers are still not improving enough.
Low Vaccination Rates in Children
Experts say there are several reasons why fewer children are getting flu vaccines, including:
- difficulty accessing vaccination services
- worries about vaccine safety
- false information and myths
- low trust in health advice
- influence from family and social groups
Safety concerns are one of the main reasons parents hesitate. Health workers are encouraged to discuss concerns clearly and individually with families.
A New Option for Children: FluMist
NSW now offers a nasal spray flu vaccine called FluMist for children aged 2 to 17 years. It is given as a spray in each nostril, so no injection is needed.
This vaccine has been used safely in many countries for years. It is designed to help increase vaccination rates, especially among children who are afraid of needles.
Families who do not want the nasal spray can still choose the standard flu injection.
Improving Vaccination Through Quality Work
Health clinics are being encouraged to use quality improvement tools to support better vaccination rates.
Systems like POLAR can help practices:
- find children who still need a flu vaccine
- check and improve patient records
- monitor vaccination progress
- update missing immunisation details
These tools help clinics improve accuracy and increase vaccine coverage over time.
Important Reminder for Health Staff
Good record keeping is essential. If a patient receives a vaccine outside the clinic, their records should be updated using official immunisation information.
This ensures data is accurate and helps improve overall care.
Flu remains a serious health issue in Australia in 2026. Vaccination every year, including new options like FluMist, is important to protect children and reduce the impact on the community.
2026 Flu Season: Key Update for Health Services
Source: QIPC Pulse (South Western Sydney PHN, 2026)