Key findings
The latest Royal Children’s Hospital National Child Health Poll report investigated parent knowledge about the flu and flu vaccine amid rising cases in Australian children.
Key findings include:
- The flu season is well and truly here, with many children getting infected.
- One in three of all flu cases across Australia in 2024 so far have been in children aged under 15 years
- Parents have low levels of knowledge about flu and the flu vaccine for children
- More than one third of all parents (36%) do not know that healthy children can get seriously unwell from the flu
- Almost half of parents (44%) do not know that the flu vaccine is recommended for all children aged 6 months or more
- More than half of parents (54%) do not know that the flu vaccine is recommended every year
- It’s not too late to vaccinate –– children need to be vaccinated now to protect them this winter
Poll report
With winter right around the corner, Australian families are reminded it is not too late to vaccinate their children for the flu. To date, flu vaccine uptake across Australia in children is low, despite young children being among the most vulnerable to the virus. With one in three cases of flu across Australia in 2024 reported in children less than 15 years of age, and vaccine uptake lagging, clinicians at The Royal Children’s Hospital are encouraging Australian families to book in their flu vaccines as winter truly begins.
Download the report
Poll questions
For a copy of the questionnaire used on the RCH Poll please contact child.healthpoll@rch.org.au
In the news
In the news
Channel 9 News Melbourne: Plea to get kids vaccinated against the flu
3AW: Parents urged to vaccinate their children against the flu as over 20,000 cases are recorded
Channel 7 News Melbourne: Concerning rise in the number of children getting the flu
Information for parents
Tips for parents
- Influenza, commonly called the flu, is an infection caused by a strain of the influenza virus.
- The flu mainly affects the nose, throat and lungs, although it can involve other parts of the body
- The flu is spread by infected people and symptoms include fever, body aches, a runny nose or a sore throat.
- As the flu virus changes every year, the vaccine needs to change every year too.
- The flu vaccine is the most effective way to reduce the chance of your child becoming sick with the flu.
- The flu vaccine cannot cause the flu.
- Yearly vaccinations are recommended for everyone aged six months and above.
- The best time to get the flu vaccine is just before winter and the flu season, as the protection of the vaccine wears off with time.
- The flu vaccine is free for all children aged six months to less than five years.
- The most common side effects of the flu vaccine are pain and redness at the site of injection.
- It takes about two weeks to develop immunity following vaccination.
- Keeping children well helps ensure they don’t miss out on attending school and other important activities.
- Speak to your GP or healthcare provider so you can make the best choice for your family.
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