The number of patients hospitalized as a result of influenza across this country is increasing, but this trend is not reflected in vaccine use.
To date, national surveillance data show the highest influenza rates in people aged 5 to 9, followed by those aged 0 to 4, and those aged 10-14.
Since April 2023, 69% of people treated with hospital-wide confirmed influenza are children under 16 years of age.
Last week, New South Wales emergency departments recorded a 37 per cent increase in patients with flu-like illnesses, with more than half aged under 16.
Since May, 16 children in the state have been in intensive care at three major hospitals with life-threatening complications from the flu, including serious problems related to heart, brain and muscles.
