Northern Territory doctors call for needle-free vaccines as flu outbreak takes 14 lives

A major flu outbreak has taken the lives of 14 people in the Northern Territory as doctors plea for needle-free vaccines to roll back the danger.

The outbreak, which escalated in July this year, has resulted in 4195 cases of the deadly disease this year.

In 2024, there was 3299 cases and in 2022, there were 2776 cases.

But RACGP Northern Territory chair Sam Heard warns that case numbers are “no doubt far higher”.

“We have record flu numbers and declining vaccination rates,” he said this month.

“This year, in the NT, we’ve already had 4000 lab-confirmed influenza cases compared to 3299 cases in all of last year.

“The true number of flu cases Territory-wide is no doubt far higher.”

Fourteen deaths are now linked to the outbreak.

“Influenza cases have been reported across all regions of the Northern Territory, with notifications gradually decreasing since August following a peak in mid-July,” an NT Health spokesman said.

“NT Health strongly encourages Territorians to be vigilant for symptoms of influenza and flu-like illnesses.

“Remember to wash your hands frequently, stay home from work, school and childcare if you are unwell with symptoms.”

The flu is a contagious respiratory virus that infects the nose, throat and lungs.

Common symptoms include fever, cough, headache, muscle aches and a runny nose.

Dr Heard says needle-free vaccinations could uplift vaccination rates across the NT.

“The (NT) government must commit to rolling out free, intranasal flu vaccinations for young kids next year,” he said.

“I can’t think of a more sensible and necessary public health investment.

“This is a cost-effective and necessary step to keep young children, who are among the most at risk from a severe flu infection including hospitalisation, as safe as possible.”

The RACGP reports that only 35.4 per cent of children aged six months to five years and only 34.9 per cent of patients aged 65 years or older are vaccinated against the flu in the NT.

“We know these intranasal sprays work,” Dr Heard said.

“Many children are fearful of needles and two-thirds of parents say the distress about vaccinating their child acts as a barrier.

“Removing all barriers to vaccination is so important.

“I can assure all Territorians that these needle-free vaccines provide the same level of protection, they’ve been used overseas in countries such as Italy, the United Kingdom, Finland, and Spain for years and have been thoroughly tested for safety and efficacy. Where they’ve been rolled out, these countries have seen substantial increases in vaccination coverage in high-risk patient groups – which is just what we need to achieve here in Australia.”

Nationwide, there have been 410,000 lab confirmed cases, a record high number.