The ‘triple hit’ of illnesses that explains why everyone in Australia is getting sick at the moment

A triple hit of flu, Covid and respiratory syncytial virus – combined with falling vaccination rates – is leaving huge numbers of people sick across Australia. 

The number of flu cases fell during the pandemic because of lockdowns and measures such as the widespread use of facemasks. 

But this has led to lower immunity and increased susceptibility to the flu, with 3,696 hospital admissions and 379 deaths from influenza in Australia last year.

The trend is continuing this year, with more than 2,000 people falling ill with the flu in the week up to May 11 in NSW, a 16 per cent increase on the same time last year.

Covid cases are also increasing, while respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is at high levels too. RSV is one of the major causes of lung infection in adults and children and can lead to more serious illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis.

‘We are now officially entering the influenza season, with cases expected to surge rapidly in the next six to eight weeks, so now is the time to book in for a flu vaccine to protect yourself and your loved ones,’ NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said. 

‘This is a timely reminder for parents, as we are already seeing an increase in the number of young children becoming sick with the virus.

‘The flu vaccine is readily available and free for those at higher risk of severe illness, including children aged six months to under five years.’

Holly Seale, an associate professor in the School of Population Health at the UNSW, also warned of the falling number of vaccinations.  

‘While we’re still relatively early in the 2024 flu season, only 7 per cent of children under five have received their flu shot this year so far,’ Dr Seale said. 

‘Although young children are a particular concern, flu vaccination rates appear to be lagging for the population as a whole. 

‘Reports indicate that from March 1 to April 28, 16 per cent fewer people were vaccinated against the flu compared with the same period last year.’ 

In 2023, reported flu cases were highest in children aged five to nine, followed by those aged zero to four. 

The same pattern is being repeated this flu season, Dr Seale wrote. 

‘While kids are more likely to catch and spread the flu, they’re also at greater risk of getting very sick from it. This particularly applies to children under five,’ she said.

‘The flu vaccine isn’t perfect – it may not prevent infections entirely – but it’s definitely our best chance of protection. 

‘Research has shown influenza-related visits to the GP were more than halved in vaccinated children compared with unvaccinated children.’

She said that vaccination prevents a severe response to the flu and reduces transmission in schools and communities, but some common misconceptions are preventing some parents from getting their children, or themselves, vaccinated.

‘Some parents report concerns about the vaccine, including the old dogma that it can cause the flu,’ she said. 

‘The flu vaccine can’t give you the flu because it doesn’t contain live virus. Unfortunately, that myth is really sticky.’

Dr Seale pointed out that it’s not just children who are at a higher risk from the flu, and that adults aged 65 and over are also more vulnerable. 

But despite being eligible for a free vaccine, the uptake among over 65s has been slow so far this flu season. 

‘For this group, we usually get around 65 per cent vaccinated. So far this year, around 35 per cent of over-65s have received their flu vaccine,’ she said.

The flu vaccine is also free for pregnant women and anyone who has a medical condition such as heart disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes or kidney disease.

Past studies have found flu vaccine coverage for pregnant women varies around the country from 39 per cent to 76 per cent, meaning that in some areas up to 60 per cent of pregnant women are not getting vaccinated.

Dr Chant said that with Covid still present in the community, vaccinations are a priority, with virus activity increasing from low to moderate levels. 

‘With all three viruses (flu, Covid and RSV) in circulation, we also want to remind the community that symptomatic people should stay at home and wear a mask if they do need to go out,’ she said.

‘They should avoid visiting high-risk settings like hospitals, aged and disability care facilities.’