Flu season has arrived late this year, and schools, workplaces and health providers are all feeling the impact. Here’s what you need to know.

Spring isn’t too far off, but winter ailments aren’t over yet. Offices, schools and hospitals are grappling with a rise in cases of influenza and other respiratory illnesses this month. It seems like everyone’s sick. How serious is it and what can you do?

So, what’s going on around?

The flu! New Zealand’s experiencing a later-than-usual rise in influenza cases. Outbreaks of respiratory illness, many influenza-based, have been reported at residential care facilities, schools and childcare centres around the country. You’ve probably noticed more people away from work sick and parents may have received alerts from their kids’ schools about flu spreading through classrooms. Maybe you’re sick right now.

In the week ending August 9, severe acute respiratory infection (Sari) hospitalisations in Auckland shot up, reaching the “high activity” level for the first time this year, with the rate higher than any week in 2025. Influenza was the most commonly detected virus, with rates doubling in a week. (PHF Science has yet to publish the stats for last week.) 

Last Friday, August 14, was Hato Hone St John’s busiest day on record, with extreme pressure from seasonal illness driving the surge in callouts. The week prior, the ambulance service had declared a major incident response and activated its emergency operations centre for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic. One ambulance driver told The Spinoff it’s “worse than Covid”. Wellington Hospital had its busiest day of the year on Monday, August 10, while Middlemore in South Auckland reportedly hit an all-time record on the same day. Urgent care clinics are swamped too.

Chris Lowry of Health NZ said that from August 10-12, last Monday to Wednesday, emergency departments across the country saw 15,123 presentations, compared to 13,863 for the same period the previous week. “On Monday of this week [August 18], there were 5,341 hospital ED presentations nationally. This reflects some of the highest demand our hospitals have seen this winter,” he added. “High demand combined with staff sickness does create pressure in our EDs, however we have contingency plans in place to ensure care continues to be delivered safely.”

OK, and we’re talking about the flu flu?

Correct. Not man flu, not a really really bad head cold, but influenza. Influenza A, to be precise (A, which is broken down into subtypes like H1 and H3, is the most common version and the one that changes often, which is why the vaccine is updated yearly.)

It’s usually worse than a cold but the symptoms might be similar – fever, runny nose, chills, body aches, headache, cough, sore throat and gastrointestinal issues can all present with the flu, and their onset is likely to be sudden. After you’re infected, it can take one to four days for symptoms to appear, and they’re likely to last for about five days, though coughs can linger.

Influenza is very contagious: it can be contracted via particles released when coughing or sneezing, or via surfaces. This makes transmission, particularly in environments like homes, schools and offices during cold weather, when everyone’s inside, sniffing and coughing anyway, common.

How do I know – and what should I do – if I get it?

Healthcare providers don’t usually test for flu, unless they’re one of PHF Science’s “sentinel” GP practices, but rapid antigen tests that test for influenza A and B, Covid-19 and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) are now readily available from pharmacies if you want to know for sure.

Either way, if you suspect you have the flu or any other respiratory virus, stay home and manage your symptoms. Most people will be able to take care of themselves at home with paracetamol, rest, fluids et cetera, but for some people, it can be much more serious (more on that below).

To minimise the spread in the home, stay away from other people and try to keep your room well ventilated. You should really try to avoid going anywhere, even if you have minor symptoms; the Royal New Zealand College of GPs (RNZCGP) notes that influenza spreads “before you feel your worst”. 

How serious is this?

Very serious. Each year around 500 New Zealanders die from the flu.

Older New Zealanders have a higher risk of severe symptoms and adverse outcomes, such as hospitalisation and pneumonia. So does anyone who’s pregnant or postpartum, or has asthma, diabetes, cancer, heart or lung conditions, according to Health New Zealand. They also warn of a higher risk of complications for Māori and Pacific people over the age of 55, children under five, anyone who’s “significantly” overweight, and people with “serious mental health or addiction issues”. Health NZ’s 2026 winter preparedness kit for health providers notes that in 2025, hospital surveillance data showed that Māori and Pacific peoples were around twice as likely to be hospitalised with influenza than non-Māori/non-Pacific groups.

Some symptoms, including but not limited to persistent high fever, severe chills and headaches, chest pain, breathing difficulties and confusion, warrant immediate medical advice. If you’re experiencing concerning symptoms or belong to a high-risk group, like the elderly or immunocompromised, consult your GP or Healthline on 0800 611 116.

What can I do to lower the risk of catching it?

Vaccination is recommended for everyone over the age of six months. It’s administered annually, updated in response to different strains and subtypes of the virus. New Zealand’s current vaccine helps protect you from influenza A (H3N2) variants, including the “super-K” variant of influenza A, as well as influenza B, and is reportedly a good match for the strains currently doing the rounds.

Health NZ is warning that flu season is likely to have a long tail this year, and it’s definitely not too late to get vaccinated. Although it not 100% guaranteed to prevent the flu, the vaccine does reduce the risk of catching it and, importantly, becoming very sick with it. Last year, contraction rates were 69% lower in vaccinated people than unvaccinated, according to research by PHF Science. The flu vaccine also lowers the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Right, and how do I get one of those?

Some New Zealanders qualify for fully funded influenza immunisations; the Influvac Tetra vaccine is free if you’re pregnant or over the age of 65. It’s also free if you have asthma, diabetes, heart conditions, and mental health diagnoses including schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Children under four with a history of serious respiratory illnesses also qualify. (Pharmac is considering widening access to the influenza vaccination for children, proposing funded flu shots for kids between the ages of six months and five years from next year.) As of the week ending August 9, only 57% of over-65s had received their free flu shot.

For those not eligible for a free shot, the Influvac Tetra vaccine ranges from $25-$45. There are also unfunded vaccines like Flucelvax, Fluzone and Fluad Quad available in New Zealand.

Vaccines are available via appointment at GP practices, pharmacies (some offer walk-ins, but it’s best to call ahead), vaccination clinics and hauora providers. Alternatively, you can arrange a time via Health New Zealand’s Book My Vaccine portal.

Other ways to minimise the spread of the flu include rigorous hand-washing and being mindful of how and where you sneeze or cough (cover your mouth). Avoiding crowded areas can also help minimise the risk of contracting or spreading illnesses like the flu. And if you’re sick, for the love of god stay home.