The pilot program of the nasal spray influenza vaccine is running from April to June, or until stocks run out. Photo: QLD Health/Instagram.
Parents and carers across NSW now can access a free alternative to the flu jab as GPs sound the alarm on the country’s influenza vaccination rates.
FluMist is a nasal spray vaccination that became available as of 1 April in an attempt to raise the influenza immunisation coverage of children aged six months to five years from 25.7 per cent (as reported in 2025) to 40 per cent.
Some 24,900 flu cases have already been reported as of the end of March 2026, with more than 2700 of those in children under the age of five.
There were 502,972 lab-confirmed influenza cases across Australia in 2025.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1738 people died as a result of influenza in 2025 — a record number of deaths.
“[That’s] compared to 1045 in 2024 and 612 in 2023. In the more recent years with a high level of influenza mortality, there were 1314 deaths in 2019 and 1656 deaths in 2017,” an ABS statement outlined.
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) president Dr Michael Wright said these figures should be a wake-up call.
“This is not a record we want to be breaking; we must boost vaccination rates and reverse this trend,” he said.
“Getting vaccinated not only helps keep yourself as safe as possible, but also your friends and family members.”
While flu case numbers are already soaring, flu vaccination rates have either plateaued or dropped.
The coverage rate of 25.7 per cent in children aged six months to five years was the lowest immunisation level recorded since 2021.
Rates for patients over the age of 65 have also slipped, with the 60.5 per cent coverage in 2025 the lowest since 2020.
Compare that with the 2025 influenza rates: more than 44,500 infections across the country were in children under the age of five (10.9 per cent of all cases).
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant previously said these numbers were a major reason why the state was making the nasal vaccination free.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
Dr Wright congratulated NSW, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia for introducing the free childhood intranasal vaccinations, describing them as a “game-changer” to at least boost immunisation rates among younger cohorts.
“Many kids are fearful of needles, which can stall vaccination efforts — particularly as two-thirds of parents say the distress they feel when thinking about vaccinating their child acts as a barrier,” he said.
“That’s why needle-free vaccinations are a game-changer. I can’t imagine a more effective and timely way to boost vaccinations for these kids.”
Intranasal sprays have already been used in Finland, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain for years.
“These countries have seen substantial increases in vaccination coverage in high-risk patient groups,” Dr Wright said.
“We must fight complacency and get more jabs in arms to help keep as many patients as possible out of hospital and ensure that next year’s flu case figures are heading in the right direction.”
The nasal spray vaccines are available from April until June. NSW Health has advised that, given 2026 is a pilot year for this program, there is a limited supply of the immunisation option.
More information about the free nasal spray immunisation program can be found through NSW Health.
