The covid vaccination rate was a third of that of influenza in 2023, yet it caused ten times as many deaths.
Coadministering covid boosters with annual flu shots could reduce hospital burden by as much as 14%, according to the latest mathematical modelling from the Burnet Institute.
The potential reductions in hospital burden were even greater when looking at the ≥ 65 population, cutting covid-related hospital admissions by more than a quarter, although this required twice as many doses due to the biannual vaccination schedule recommended for this age group.
In 2023, there were almost 4000 covid-related deaths, 62,000 hospitalisations and an 11% overall vaccination rate. By July 2024, only 7% of Australians aged 18–64 years had received a covid vaccine in the previous 12 months.
The study urged an increase in covid vaccine coverage to match influenza, which is a less effective vaccine for a disease with a smaller burden. There were 370 national influenza-related deaths for 2023, and the vaccination rate was 32%.
“By offering a covid booster vaccination alongside the annual influenza vaccination, we could aim to achieve similar vaccination coverage for covid as influenza, which would make a meaningful difference in reducing hospital admissions and deaths,” said Associate Professor Nick Scott, Burnet head of modelling and biostatistics.
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The modelling and analysis looked specifically at covid trends and data from Victoria, but researchers believe it’s applicable to the whole of Australia.
While experts say it’s too early to predict the severity of the 2025 flu season, the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System reported nearly 50,000 cases of influenza in the first quarter of this year, compared to 30,000 cases reported in the same period last year. Confirmed cases for 2025 as we head into flu season are at almost 110,000 as of 11 June.
The study explained that unlike influenza, epidemic waves of covid have not been seasonal and occurred roughly every six months in Australia between 2021 and 2024 with the emergence of a new variant.
Alongside low covid vaccine uptake, the MBS item number for general practice attendance for assessing patient suitability for a covid vaccine (93644) is being retired at the end of the month.
