West Aussies encouraged to get the flu jab to prevent deaths ahead of season peak

Six West Australians have died from the flu so far this year, with the winter flu season yet to reach its peak and the State’s vaccination rates considerably below target.

Latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show acute respiratory infections — influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) — have claimed hundreds of lives nationwide in the first four months of the year.

WA’s numbers are substantially lower than interstate, where Queensland (39), Victoria (38), New South Wales (30), and South Australia (19) have had far more deaths attributed to influenza.

But in what could be a worrying sign of what’s to come in WA ahead of its traditional winter flu season, influenza has caused more deaths than COVID-19 in Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory in the first few months of 2026.

The flu season typically runs April through October, with the height of cases around August.

However, flu deaths spiked early this year across the country with 90 fatalities in January alone compared to 30 in January 2025.

Last year, WA had its worst flu season on record with more than 36,000 cases.

There have been just over 2000 cases this year, with 301 people ending up in hospital.

But as flu season ramps up, WA is seriously lagging when it comes to vaccination coverage.

The Australian Centre for Disease Control says vaccine coverage nationally is just 19.8 per cent so far, albeit noting that the 2026 seasonal influenza vaccine has only been available since April.

In WA, the strongest uptake has been among people aged 65 and older, with 45.2 being vaccinated against the virus as of May 24.

That figure drops significantly in other demographics with just 17.8 per cent of people aged 50 to 64 covered by a flu jab.

The poorest performing age groups are among those most likely to spread it, with just 9.8 per cent of kids aged six to 11 vaccinated, and 6.1 per cent of kids aged 12 to 17.

And it’s showing in the State’s caseload too, with just under a third of notifications so far this year in those aged 15 and younger.

Health Minister Meredith Hammat says the State Government was “clearly focused” on boosting the level of flu vax uptake in the community, but West Aussies have to do their bit by going to get the jab.

“It is the best way that people can protect themselves, but also their family, and also our community as we head into winter,” Ms Hammat said.

“We’ve made more vaccinations free this year than ever before. We’ve made it more accessible as well . . . the community need to respond to that and do their bit.”