A new weapon is joining NSW’s arsenal in the fight against influenza. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
A new flu vaccine is coming to NSW kids – and there are no needles needed.
The NSW Government has flagged its plans to provide a free intranasal vaccine, called FluMist, for young kids.
The vaccine is sprayed into the nose and provides the same protection as the currently available vaccine for this age group.
“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,” said NSW Health Minister Ryan Park.
“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.”
The spray is expected to be available from next year, for kids aged two to five years.
Earlier this year, Region revealed that the ACT reported a record-breaking number of flu cases, while the virus was also circulating in southeast NSW.
As at 13 September, the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System dashboard showed 138,021 flu cases were reported across NSW this year, out of 280,841 reports of respiratory disease (compared to 161,536 flu cases in 2024).
The vaccine has been used in the Northern Hemisphere and is undergoing regulatory approval in Australia ahead of next year’s influenza season.
In NSW, it will be available through general practitioners.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners called on the NSW Government to fund needle-free flu vaccinations for young children earlier this year.
For NSW&ACT Chair Doctor Rebekah Hoffman, the move is a game-changer for families.
She said two-thirds of parents reported that distress was a barrier to vaccinating their child.
“As GPs, we know [needles are] a barrier to achieving the immunity our young patients need, and this Minns Government initiative breaks that barrier.
“Needle-free vaccines have been used overseas and thoroughly tested for safety and efficacy.
“Next year, these kids’ experience of vaccination won’t be a scary needle, just a quick spray up the nose – at no cost to parents.”
The needle-free alternative is expected to increase children’s uptake of the flu vaccine ahead of the 2026 influenza season.
Dr Hoffman said the nasal vaccine would likely keep more children safe and reduce hospitalisations, but warned that everyone must act to tackle reduced flu immunity.
She pointed to statistics collected by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance showing 27.6 per cent of kids under five were vaccinated (as of the end of 2024) against the flu.
“For parents, taking a young child to hospital with severe flu is terrifying,” Dr Hoffman said.
“It’s also too common. There have been more than 3000 influenza-like illness presentations to our emergency departments [involving] children under five. Over 600 have been admitted to hospital.”
NSW Chief Health Officer Doctor Kerry Chant said it was important people protected themselves from the flu and its complications.
“Influenza is a serious illness that can cause pneumonia, make chronic underlying medical conditions like diabetes, lung and heart disease much worse requiring hospital admission, and cause death.
“Even previously healthy children can experience severe complications from influenza so it is great that we will be able to offer a new method of vaccination which can help support healthier communities during the winter months.”
The NSW Government also expects the vaccine may be made available through the private market for other age groups (depending on regulatory approval).
