Health experts are warning Australians to brace for a triple threat this winter, as COVID-19, influenza, and RSV continue to spread rapidly. The strongest protection, they say, is timely vaccination—ideally before the end of May.
“We’re already seeing an early wave of highly infectious respiratory illnesses,” said Professor Paul Griffin on Wednesday. “When one person in a household gets sick, the virus can spread to everyone within days. Early detection is key to managing outbreaks and protecting vulnerable groups.”
As of May 22, more than 80,000 flu cases have been confirmed across Australia—a more than 50% increase from the same time last year. Influenza, typically caused by type A or B viruses, is a highly contagious respiratory infection with several subtypes and strains.
COVID-19 cases are also expected to surge in the coming months, driven largely by a highly transmissible Omicron subvariant known as LP.8.1. This strain was responsible for 60% of COVID cases in the UK by March and has been linked to significant outbreaks overseas since late 2024. While not more severe than previous strains, it appears to spread more easily.
Professor Catherine Bennett, an epidemiologist at Deakin University, emphasized the importance of staying current with COVID vaccinations—especially for those over 65 or with underlying health issues.
“Vaccines take a couple of weeks to become effective and typically offer protection for a few months—which is the length of most seasonal waves,” she said. “Getting vaccinated in May ensures you’re protected during the peak period. Don’t wait for cases to climb—act early.”
She warned that multiple factors are contributing to the anticipated spike in infections: waning immunity, lower booster uptake, and more people gathering indoors as temperatures drop.
“This variant has been in Australia since July last year, but as we moved out of winter, most people still had recent infections or booster protection. That’s no longer the case,” she noted.
