Health alert for late rise in influenza cases across the region
The latest Queensland Health surveillance data reveals an unusually late rise of influenza (flu) activity reported across the state, with impacts felt locally, including a rise in hospital admissions for flu cases.
With influenza cases continuing to circulate in high numbers in the community, general practices are being encouraged to use their patient data to encourage flu vaccination uptake through targeted patient recalls, to help protect people at greater risk of severe illness.
Queensland Health data reveals a late spike in flu cases is impacting the region
A weekly total of 3,350 influenza cases were reported across Queensland for the week ending 1 November 2026, resulting in a reported 283 people needing hospital treatment, with people aged 65 years and over accounting for 65% of those hospital admissions.
Locally, Queensland Health surveillance data for the same week recorded 760 influenza cases among Metro South residents. On 1 November, 47 Metro South residents were in hospital with influenza, more than half of whom were aged 65 years and over.
While influenza activity typically peaks during the winter months, this late-season rise is an important reminder that influenza can continue to circulate beyond the traditional flu season.
Eligible patients can still access free flu vaccinations
Although the 2026 Queensland Free Flu Vaccination Program ended on 30 September, influenza vaccination remains free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for eligible patient population groups, including:
people aged 65 years and over
pregnant women
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 6 months and over
children aged 6 months to under 5 years; and
people with specified medical conditions.
Importantly, national program advice recommends continuing to offer influenza vaccination while influenza viruses are circulating and valid vaccine remains available.
Advice for general practices to support patient care
General practices are being encouraged to identify and proactively engage their patients who are at increased risk of severe influenza, supporting them to get vaccinated and seek care when cold and flu symptoms develop.
Current hospitalisation data highlights an ongoing risk of developing severe influenza for older people in particular. Practices can help by:
using Primary Sense or practice data to identify patients at higher risk who may be due for influenza vaccination, then undertaking targeted patient recalls
Continuing to offer influenza vaccination to all patients while influenza is circulating and valid vaccine remains available, and reminding eligible patients that vaccination remains free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP)
reinforcing respiratory hygiene and early assessment, particularly for patients at increased risk of severe influenza
considering the use of antiviral treatment where appropriate to use for patient cases of influenza.
Helpful links to more information
Further information and resources for healthcare professionals:
Refer to our self-paced continuous quality improvement (QI) activity to identify and recall 10 patients with COPD due for influenza and/or pneumococcal vaccination.
See our Influenza Vaccination QI Toolkit