No-cost needle-free influenza vaccinations for young children in New South Wales and Queensland have been welcomed as a major step forward in public health, with calls for other states and territories to follow.
The NSW and QLD governments announced this week the intranasal influenza vaccine (FluMist) for children aged two to under five will be made free ahead of the 2026 winter flu season.
Influenza vaccination rates represent a growing public health concern, with fewer than 26% of children under five years old covered by the influenza vaccine this year. Influenza remains one of the most common presentations to the ED for children during winter, placing significant strain on families and hospitals.
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Queensland Chair Dr Cathryn Hester described the initiative as no-tears protection from severe flu, at no cost.
“Around two thirds of parents say they feel distressed about vaccinating their child against influenza, and that’s true among both those who intend to vaccinate and those who do not.
“A needle-free option will reduce anxiety for those who are needle-averse and help boost vaccination rates.”
Needle-free vaccines have been tested extensively overseas and shown to be safe and effective, said Dr Hester. While influenza immunisation uptake improved dramatically in other countries where needle-free vaccination was implemented.
FluMist is currently being considered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee for the National Immunisation Program.
The past two years were among the worst years on record for flu cases in NSW and Queensland, and Australia. So far in 2025, there have been 74,892 lab-confirmed influenza cases in Queensland, 138,021 cases in NSW and 362,860 nationwide.
With new cases emerging, it is almost certain Australia will have more flu cases than previous years, potentially making 2025 a new record year for the number of lab-confirmed flu cases.
The new intranasal vaccine marks a positive alternative for families concerned about their child’s reaction to a needle but does not solve the critical barrier of access to increasing immunisation uptake across the nation, said Australian College of Nursing CEO Adjunct Professor Kathryn Zeitz.
The National Immunisation Strategy for Australia 2025-2030, released this year, was a missed opportunity to maximise the deployment of nurses to increase vaccination rates in Australia, she added.
“Support is needed to encourage nurses to be available to vaccinate more widely in the community, including in the growing network of Medicare Urgent Care Clinics.”
