However, experts have pointed to the unpredictability of the virus and the common rise in infections that occur during the winter months to warn against complacency.

What does the data show?

In 2023, there were 4,609 deaths from COVID-19, and last year, there were 3,871 deaths from COVID-19 recorded.

“There are still a number of people who get very sick, and the effects of long-COVID-19 can be debilitating.”

While the downward trend in mortality is “encouraging,” he cautioned that the virus remains “very unpredictable”.

‘Still a lot we don’t know’

“There’s still a lot we don’t know.”

Catherine Bennett, chair in epidemiology at Deakin University, said there were a range of ways emerging strains of COVID-19 can impact people.

“The other important thing to remember is long COVID, and we don’t have good data now and we don’t know if our immunity is helping protect us from long COVID.”

Now is a good time to consider vaccination

“So, actually, having a vaccine now as winter comes is the right time.”

A 2024 report from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance found that children aged from 12 months to 5 years old had lower vaccination rates in 2023 than in 2020.

Mortality is higher in winter months

Firstly, they can survive longer in winter months when there is decreased sunlight, lower temperatures, and lower relative humidity.