The state Government will provide a new free intranasal influenza vaccine for children aged two years to under five years old from next year.
The new FluMist intranasal vaccine has been widely used in the Northern Hemisphere for many years and is currently undergoing regulatory approval in Australia.
The vaccine is sprayed into the nose and is said to provide the same protection as the currently available vaccine for this age group.
General practitioners will be able to provide it.
Health Minister and Keira MP Ryan Parks says the needle-free option is expected to increase the uptake of the vaccine ahead of the 2026 winter season.
“This new program will provide an accessible and convenient needle-free option for children and improve vaccination uptake ahead of the 2026 winter flu season.
“Vaccination is the best protection from serious illness from influenza for everyone over six months of age.
“We hope the offering of a needle-free alternative will support parents’ decisions to protect their children against this serious disease.
“We know that EDs have been under pressure from winter illnesses – this innovative new vaccine method is about relieving pressure on our EDs next winter season.”
In 2025 up until the end of last month, children aged 0 to 4 years old made up 13 per cent of influenza notifications in NSW, and children aged 5 to 9 years old made up 16 per cent of notifications.
This year so far, there have been over 3,000 presentations to emergency departments in NSW for influenza-like illness in children less than 5 years old, and over 600 hospital admissions.
