New stats from the ABS have shown covid is no longer the leading mortality cause for respiratory infections.

Concerning statistics have emerged from the Australian Bureau of Statistics on deaths due to respiratory infections.

The ABS released statistics this week showing that in August, Australia had more deaths from influenza (211) than covid (153).

Between January and August this year deaths from covid were lower than both 2023 and 2024 while deaths from influenza and RSV were higher.

Covid was previously the leading cause of acute respiratory infection related deaths for 2023 to 2025, with influenza having taken over for most deaths this past August.

This comes amid a record-breaking flu season that has prompted the RACGP to make calls for action when it comes to staying vigilant on vaccines.

“What we’ve seen this year, and what we’ve been predicting is worsening flu seasons than previous years and unfortunately, it looks like we’re probably heading into the same next year,” RACGP chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman told The Medical Republic today.

“Influenza has now overtaken covid as the number one, for as an increasing number of deaths that would have been preventable if increased numbers of vaccines had taken place.”

Over 410,000 lab-confirmed influenza cases have been reported by the RACGP, obliterating the previous record high season of 365,000 recorded last year.

“This is not a record we want to be breaking, we must boost vaccination rates and reverse this trend,” RACGP president Dr Michael Wright said.

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“Getting vaccinated not only help keeps yourself as safe as possible, but also your friends and family members.

“This should act as a wake-up call to all patients across Australia.”

A plateau in flu vaccination rates has been touted as a contributor to these statistics, with more susceptible age demographics showing a decline in vaccination rates.

Only roughly a quarter (25.7%) of children aged six months to five years were vaccinated in 2025, the lowest since 2021, while rates for patients over the age of 65 have also dropped, with the 60.5% rate the lowest since 2020.

Intranasal vaccines have been backed by the RACGP as a potential gamechanger when it comes to boosting vaccine rates, with GPs across Australia having either already implemented the strategy or in talks with the state governments to do so.

“It’s really important that the NIP have a look at what they’re covering at a national level,” Dr Hoffman told TMR.

“The states have stepped up, or some of the states have, and have covered flu mist for some age groups.

“What we’d love to see is that the NIP is covered for all people to have access to flu mist, and for those most at risk, so the over 65 and those with respiratory problems, be strongly encouraged to get their flu vaccine every year.

“We do need a stronger rollout of flu vaccine into places like nursing homes, and we really also encourage our local hospitals to do their bit and step up and make sure that people that are coming into hospitals and have prolonged stays in hospitals are able to access the flu vaccine when they’re there as well.”