New data from Queensland Health shows that while overall flu case rates are beginning to ease, some regional areas are still seeing an increase in notifications. Transmission remains high in many communities and hospitalisations continue across the State.
Since the start of the year, there have been 62,424 cases of influenza recorded in Queensland, with 86 per cent of those not vaccinated.
Over the past week, 4,260 Queenslanders were diagnosed with influenza – a four per cent decrease compared to the previous week. However, Central Queensland, Central West and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) areas collectively observed a 29 per cent increase in new flu cases.
Chief Health Officer Dr Catherine McDougall said hospitalisation data showed that influenza and other respiratory virus infections continued to place significant pressure on the public health system and frontline staff.
“Currently close to 400 hospital beds are occupied daily by patients with influenza, COVID-19, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),” Dr McDougall said.
“Tragically, at least 135 people have died this year from flu related illness – this includes 20 people aged under 65 years”.
Dr McDougall emphasised the need for more people to roll up their sleeves for the flu vaccination.
“Vaccination remains your best defence against serious illness and hospitalisation and it’s not too late in the season to get your shot,” she said.
“It’s encouraging to see vaccination numbers climbing, with almost 10,000 Queenslanders were vaccinated for flu last week. But we need more, especially among those most vulnerable, like children under five and adults over 65.
“Every Queenslander over six months of age is eligible for a free flu shot, it’s quick, easy, and free”.
Queenslanders can receive a free flu vaccination from more than 2,500 community immunisation providers across the state, including GPs, community pharmacies and community clinics.
If you’re due for your COVID-19 vaccination, you can get it at the same time as your flu vaccination.
Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 surveillance data as of 24 August 2025 is below.
Influenza
This year to date, Queensland has recorded 62,424 cases. Of these cases:
- 86 per cent of confirmed cases were not vaccinated.
- 6,002 were admitted to hospital – 82 per cent were not vaccinated.
There have been 135 flu related deaths reported this year (1 January – 24 August 2025), compared with 161 deaths during the same period last year (1 January – 24 August 2024).
An average of 249 public hospital beds across the state were occupied every day by flu patients in the last week (18–24 August), which is comparable to an average of 248 beds in the previous week (11–17 August).
Currently, 1,705,725 Queenslanders have been vaccinated against flu (up to 24 August 2025), This compares to a total of 1,695,794 in the previous week (up to 17 August 2025).
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
RSV notifications are steadily decreasing, with 849 cases notified in the last week.
There have been 24,831 cases reported this year. Of these cases:
- 6,424 (26 per cent) were children aged less than 2 years.
- 2,851 (11 per cent) were admitted to hospital, with 1,058 (37 per cent) of these aged less than 2 years.
Hospitalisations decreased slightly, with an average of 61 public hospital beds across the state are occupied every day by RSV patients in the last week, compared to 66 the week before.
COVID-19
COVID-19 notifications decreased in the last week compared to previous week, with 988 cases reported in the last week.
This year to date, 30,649 cases have been recorded. Of these cases:
- 7,299 (24 per cent) were aged 75 years and over.
- 5,855 (19 per cent) were admitted to hospital – 92 per cent were not up to date with vaccination.
An average of 83 public hospital beds were occupied daily by COVID-19 patients in the last week.
Further information
- For weekly updates on the current situation, visit the Queensland Health’s Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance website.
- Free flu vaccination is available to all Queensland residents aged 6 months or older. More information on the 2025 Free Flu Vaccination Program is available on the Queensland Health website.
- Queenslanders are encouraged to consider a COVID-19 booster based on age and risk assessment as well as an annual flu vaccination. More information is available on the Australian Government website.
- The COVID-19 vaccine can be administered at the same time as the flu vaccination. People should talk to their health provider for more information.
- RSV vaccination is free in Queensland for all expectant mothers during weeks 28 to 36 of pregnancy, and some infants may be eligible for the free infant RSV immunisation. For further information on RSV immunisation eligibility, visit the Queensland Health website.
- Further flu vaccination data is available on the Australian Government website.
ENDS