Experts are warning of a triple virus surge this winter, with COVID-19, influenza, and RSV already spreading rapidly – and say the best protection is to get vaccinated before the end of May.
‘We’re dealing with an early wave of a significantly infectious virus diseases,’ Professor Paul Griffin said on Wednesday.
‘When one person brings something home, it can sweep through the whole household in days.
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‘The more we empower families to detect illness early, the better we can manage outbreaks and protect those most at risk.’
There have been more than 80,000 confirmed influenza cases in Australia so far this year up to May 22, a more than 50 per cent jump from the same period last year.
Seasonal flu is a common and highly contagious respiratory infection usually caused by influenza A or B viruses, but there are multiple subtypes and strains.
Meanwhile Covid cases are expected to skyrocket this winter with a contagious strain of the Omicron variant to infect a large percentage of Australians.
Variant LP.8.1. was identified as the main culprit of large outbreaks overseas in late 2024 and early 2025 and was responsible for three in five Covid cases in the UK in March.
While the strain does not appear to cause worse symptoms than its predecessors, recent testing found it could be more contagious.
Infectious Disease Physician, Professor Paul Griffin said households need to test for viruses including influenza, RSV and Covid-19 (stock image)
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Infectious Disease Physician, Professor Paul Griffin said households need to test for viruses including influenza, RSV and Covid-19 (stock image)
Doctors urge Aussies to stay up to date on COVID and flu vaccines as winter illnesses rise (stock image of Aussies wearing masks during the Covid pandemic)
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Doctors urge Aussies to stay up to date on COVID and flu vaccines as winter illnesses rise (stock image of Aussies wearing masks during the Covid pandemic)
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Professor of epidemiology at Deakin University Catherine Bennett urged Aussies to remain up to date on their Covid vaccines.
‘Any variant can be a real problem for them, that’s why it’s advised for people with underlying health conditions or aged over 65 to have a pre-winter dose,’ she said.
‘It takes a couple of weeks to get the benefit of a vaccine and while it might only protect you for a couple of months, that’s as long as the waves usually last.
‘Getting it in May will keep you covered. Don’t don’t wait until the cases are already rising. You know, give yourself a couple of weeks’ notice.’
She warned a combination of factors created the conditions for an explosion in the number of cases.
‘Our immunity is waning – it’s been a while since most people have had a Covid infection and fewer people are getting boosters now,’ she previously told Daily Mail Australia.
‘As we go into winter, more people will be gathering indoors together which helps the virus spread. That’s why all that respiratory virus transmission goes up in winter.
‘This [Covid] variant has been in Australia since July last year, but we were coming out of winter, we’d gone through the worst of the wave and most people had a recent infection or booster dose.’
Last year, the number of Australian’s getting vaccinated decreased by 5.8 per cent in all States and Territories.
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Last year, the number of Australian’s getting vaccinated decreased by 5.8 per cent in all States and Territories.
Professor Griffin said the most effective way Australians can protect themselves from the virus explosion is by keeping their vaccinations up to date and using rapid antigen tests to help stop the spread of influenza and other viruses within households.
‘Infants, elderly adults, pregnant women, and people with chronic conditions face the highest risk of serious complications, including pneumonia, dehydration, or hospitalisation,’ Professor Paul Griffin said.
‘Recognising symptoms like high fever, fatigue, wheezing, or difficulty breathing early ensures families can take swift action – whether that means starting antivirals, isolating, or seeking urgent medical care.
‘Early testing is not just a personal benefit, but a broader public health strategy.’
Last year, the number of Australian’s getting vaccinated decreased by 5.8 per cent in all states and territories.
Covid and flu vaccinations are free for everyone in Australia, including those without a Medicare card.
You can get Covid vaccines from a range of vaccination providers. To find a vaccination provider near you, use the service finder on the Healthdirect website.
More than a third (31,955) of flu cases have been registered in New South Wales (stock image)
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More than a third (31,955) of flu cases have been registered in New South Wales (stock image)
So far this year, more than a third (31,995) of flu cases have occurred in NSW, according to the Australian government’s dashboard.
The second highest number of in cases is in Queensland (18,818), followed by Victoria with 17,618 flu cases.
Western Australia has registered 6510, while laboratories have found 4719 in South Australia, 1557 in Northern Territory, 1126 in Tasmania and 1099 in ACT.
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