sMater - Influenza 2026 - Prof Paul Griffin

What’s really driving Australia’s worst flu seasons—and what can clinicians do now?

As Queensland heads into flu season, Professor Paul Griffin returns to sMater to unpack what’s new in influenza prevention and protection. From updated vaccines targeting subclade K, to FluMist—the new needle‑free nasal spray vaccine for children—this episode covers what clinicians need to know right now.

You’ll also hear practical insights on:

• Why flu is no longer just a winter illness
• The real world impact of vaccination on severity and hospitalisation
• Antivirals: who they’re for and why timing matters
• RSV and COVID updates for 2026, including new funded vaccines.

A must‑listen for GPs, pharmacists and healthcare professionals preparing for a challenging respiratory virus season.

🎧 sMater is brought to you by Mater, an Australian leader in healthcare for more than a century.

🎙️ Hosted by Jillian Whiting and Dr Maria Boulton

 🎤 Guest: Professor Paul Griffin, Director of Infectious Diseases, Mater

GP Education activity log:

Podcast title: sMater: Influenza 2026
Provider: Mater Misericordiae Ltd
Date published: 30 April 2026
Certificate of completion: https://www.mater.org.au/getmedia/efdfa97a-efec-44e0-b96e-9d8dfcb6e677/sMater-Certificate-of-Participation-Professor-Paul-Griffin-Influenza.pdf

To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/

Transcript

Hello and welcome to sMater, a podcast by clinicians for clinicians, brought to you by Mater, an Australian leader in healthcare for more than a century. I’m your host, Jillian Whiting.

And I’m Dr Maria Boulton, GP specialist and former president of KMA Queensland.

As we head into another flu season here in Queensland, today we welcome back Professor Paul Griffin to hear what’s new in treatment. From vaccination updates to FluMist, the new nasal spray vaccine, there’s a lot to discuss with Paul. Paul is an infectious diseases physician and microbiologist and Director of Infectious Diseases at Mater.

We are Mater.
We are Mater.
We are Mater.

This is sMater.

Paul, welcome back to sMater.
Thanks very much for having me.

To get started, my question is going to be about what you’re expecting this flu season. But did the flu actually ever really go away?

It’s a really important point because particularly the last two years, we’ve seen a lot of flu interseasonally, so over the summer months. Traditionally, it would get warmer, flu would go away and people wouldn’t think about these viral infections. But last year more so, and to a degree this year, we’ve seen quite a lot of flu over summer. So we do need people to be mindful that these infections, particularly flu, need to be considered all year round.

Why is that? Why isn’t it going away?

It’s a really good question and probably one without a simple answer. It’s partly to do with reduced vaccination rates, reduced measures to reduce transmission, lots of travel, and a particularly high flu season due to a few factors, including the emergence of subclade K.

Are we seeing anything different when it comes to severity or transmission? We’ve all heard about “super K”.

We did see a flu that was relatively easy to transmit and caused very high case numbers last year. A record‑breaking flu season in 2025, with over 500,000 cases and more than 1,700 deaths. A truly extraordinary season. We can’t predict exactly what flu will do year to year, but the vaccination rate is something we can control, and that’s what we need to focus on.

So what about 2026?

It’s hard to predict, but we’re already seeing high case numbers. We need to be prepared and do as much as we can to reduce the impact of flu, whatever the season brings.

Does the 2026 vaccine cover subclade K?

Yes. Last year’s vaccine didn’t protect well because the virus changed mid‑year. This year the vaccine composition has been updated through WHO and Australian expert committees, and it does target subclade K much better. That makes this year’s flu vaccine perhaps one of the most important ever.

And timing matters?

Absolutely. The flu vaccine gives protection for around four to six months. With the peak usually in August, now is exactly the right time to get vaccinated.

Flu vaccines are free in Queensland. Are uptake rates improving?

It’s still early, but last year Queensland was below the national average in three out of five age groups. Funding is fantastic and removes barriers, but education remains critical. People underestimate flu, underestimate the vaccine, and we need to change that.

What does the evidence say about vaccine effectiveness?

Flu vaccines work extremely well at reducing severity. They may not prevent infection entirely, but they reduce GP visits, hospitalisations and deaths. Even young, healthy people can become severely ill with flu. Vaccination makes that far less likely.

How should clinicians approach vaccine hesitancy?

Encourage patients to use reputable sources. Australia has a rigorous approval system. We wouldn’t fund or use vaccines that weren’t safe and effective. A lot of hesitancy comes from misunderstanding, fuelled by misinformation. Open, honest conversations are key.

Let’s talk about FluMist. What is it and who is it for?

FluMist is a live attenuated nasal spray vaccine. It mimics natural infection and avoids needles, which is huge for children. It’s funded in Queensland for children aged two to five years and approved up to age 17. It’s safe, effective, and easy to administer.

Are there any exclusions?

It’s not recommended for children who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. The Australian Immunisation Handbook outlines this clearly.

What about side effects?

Similar to injected vaccines, possibly mild flu‑like symptoms or runny nose, but no injection‑site pain. And importantly, no needles.

How has uptake been so far?

Early days, but feedback is positive. Use of FluMist alone won’t solve uptake issues—we still need education and reminders about how serious flu can be.

What about antivirals?

Antivirals work best when given early. People often wait too long. Testing early and having a winter plan for high‑risk patients is essential.

And COVID and RSV?

COVID hasn’t gone away. Vaccine uptake is very low, particularly among high‑risk adults. RSV is now preventable with funded vaccines for older adults and pregnant women in Queensland, which is a major advance.

Any final messages?

Vaccination is the key prevention strategy. Now is the time to act—for flu, COVID and RSV. Good hygiene, testing, staying home when sick and early treatment all matter, but prevention remains the most powerful tool we have.

Professor Paul Griffin, thank you for joining us.

It’s a pleasure. Thanks for having me.

This podcast was brought to you from Meanjin, the land on which it was recorded. For our listeners at home, in the car, or taking a well‑deserved break between patients, thank you for tuning in.

See you next time on sMater.