Influenza in Australia before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

Influenza, like many of the other human respiratory diseases has rebounded after virtually no circulation in 2020–2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The three influenza seasons since the pandemic have all started earlier than the average season pre-COVID-19 and all have been significant seasons. The 2024 season had the highest number of laboratory confirmed influenza cases since records have been kept; however, the number of deaths associated with influenza was lower than in 2017 and 2019. The length of the influenza seasons has also varied since the pandemic, with 2022 being a short season and the 2023 and 2024 seasons being more typical seasons, lasting for several months. Although a number of different influenza vaccines are available for all persons 6 months of age and older and in 2024 were free in some states and for other at-risk groups, vaccination rates have been dropping. For example, vaccine uptake in 2024 for the age group 6 months to <5 years was only 26% and was only 61% for those 65 years and over. Greater awareness of the complications from influenza infection are needed along with increased vaccination rates if we are to ameliorate the impact of this constant autumn–winter visitor.