29 April 2025
As Canberra prepares to host its first FREE Flu Vaccination Day tomorrow, the Immunisation Coalition (IC) is urging residents to take action amid a concerning drop in flu vaccine uptake. Canberra’s FREE Flu Vaccination Day will be held at Albert Hall on 30 April, offering free flu vaccines for adults aged 18 to 64 years, with no Medicare card required. The event is part of a national effort by the Immunisation Coalition to boost protection in communities where coverage is falling.
Recent data shows a steady decline in ACT flu vaccination rates, with only 195,964 people vaccinated in 2024—a 3% drop from 2023 and a 10.5% drop from 20221. The trend reflects a broader national issue: Australia-wide, just 8.78 million influenza vaccinations were recorded in 2024, down 5.9% from 2023 and 20.9% from 20221.
“This isn’t just a statistic—it’s a warning sign,” says Dr Andrew Minton, CEO of the Immunisation Coalition.
“This decline puts more people at risk and additional pressure on our healthcare system. The free flu vaccination day removes the cost barrier for adults aged 18 to 64—an age group that is largely not covered by the National Immunisation Program.
Canberrians should take advantage of getting the flu vaccination for free, and protect themselves in what could be another record flu season”.
The ACT has already recorded a 40.1% increase in laboratory-confirmed flu cases in Q1 2025 compared to the same period in 2024—making it the highest first-quarter flu case total on record for the ACT2.
Source: https://nindss.health.gov.au/pbi-dashboard/
In 2024, the highest incidence of influenza was among adults aged 20 to 64 years3—a group often not eligible for free influenza vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). This is exactly the group the Immunisation Coalition is targeting through Canberra’s FREE Flu Vaccination Day, offering free flu vaccines to adults aged 18 to 64 years who are otherwise left unprotected.
The ACT has also seen a 50% increase in flu-related deaths recorded in 2024 compared to 20234. Experts are concerned that if vaccination rates continue to fall, 2025 could bring even more serious outcomes.
2025 Free Flu Vaccination Day Details:
- Albert Hall, Canberra
- 30 April 2025
- 10am – 4pm
- Free flu vaccinations for adults aged 18–64 years
- No Medicare card required
- Register now: https://portal.arrotex.com.au/event/sessions?id=Immunisation_Coalition_Vaccination_Event1723727327
The IC is also hosting FREE Flu Vaccination Days today, 29 April, in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide. With Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide already fully booked, the strong demand showcases just how urgently people are seeking protection this flu season. Canberra now has the same opportunity—and residents are encouraged to act quickly to take advantage of this free initiative before winter arrives.
“We cannot afford to let vaccination fatigue take hold,” says Professor Gary Grohmann, consultant virologist and Director at the Immunisation Coalition. “Fewer vaccinations mean more flu transmission, more hospitalisations, and more deaths. This is a preventable disease, and the vaccine is safe, effective, and available now.”
The IC’s FREE Flu Vaccination Day is strategically scheduled at the end of April to ensure optimal protection throughout Australia’s influenza season. In Australia, flu activity typically peaks around July, with August often experiencing the highest number of cases5. Since the vaccine’s effectiveness is strongest within the first 3 to 4 months after administration, receiving the flu shot in late April or early May provides the best protection during these peak months and reduce the risk of severe illness5.
For more information and to book your free vaccination, visit: https://www.immunisationcoalition.org.au/events/canberra-vaccination-day/
References:
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. (2024, October 9). Influenza (flu) immunisation data – 1 March to 6 October – 2021–2024. https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-10/influenza-flu-immunisation-data-1-march-to-6-october-2021-2024.pdf
- Australian Government Department of Health. (n.d.). National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System Dashboard. Retrieved April 9, 2025, from https://nindss.health.gov.au/pbi-dashboard/
- ACT Health. (2024). Annual ACT Respiratory Illness Surveillance Report 2024. ACT Government. https://www.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/2785308/ACT-Respiratory-Illness-Surveillance-Report-2024.pdf
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2025, February 28). Deaths due to COVID-19, influenza and RSV in Australia—2022–January 2025. https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/deaths-due-covid-19-influenza-and-rsv-australia-2022-january-2025
- Queensland Health. (2025, March 24). Queensland Health 2025 Influenza vaccination advice. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/immunisation/service-providers/influenza