Look mum, no needle: Nasal spray flu vaccine 'well received'

“Yay, it’s flu vax time,” said no preschooler ever.

However, this year families are seizing an easier option to avoid winter sickness – and the fallout of lost school and work days. 

Since April, GPs, pharmacies and Aboriginal medical services have been offering a nasal spray influenza vaccine for ages two to 17. The new FluMist is free for children aged two, three and four thanks to a NSW government‑funded program.

One quick, painless spray in each nostril, and children are protected for about three to four months, the same protection time as the needle version. 

“This has been very well received by young children to date and those older children who have a fear of needles,” said Thirroul Pharmacy owner Raelee Hooton.

Raelee’s experience reflects a wider uptake across the state.

NSW community pharmacists have provided 2500 free FluMist vaccines to eligible young children since April 1.

Peppe Raso, a national councillor at the Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch, said: "We've seen strong interest from local families in the nasal spray flu vaccine, particularly because it's quick, needle-free and far less stressful for children aged two to four and their parents."

"We can also offer non-subsidised nasal vaccines for needle-hesitant children outside the government-funded age range.

"Community pharmacies make it easy for parents to protect their kids against flu early in the season, close to home and without the need for a GP appointment.”

Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can result in breathing difficulties and pneumonia. NSW Health says children aged two to four are being prioritised with free vaccines as they are at high risk of severe illness. Littlies also readily spread the flu to others – think high-risk nans and granddads, or anyone with a chronic lung condition, including asthma.

While millions of children in the northern hemisphere have safely had the nasal spray vaccine over the past decade, FluMist was only recently approved in Australia. 

Announcing its arrival in the Illawarra last month, Heathcote MP Maryanne Stuart described the spray as "a real win for parents".

Keira MP Ryan Park, the NSW Minister for Health, said the goal of rolling out the free vaccine to ages two to four was to increase uptake after a record flu season in 2025.

Last year, NSW logged more than 24,500 cases of influenza in children under five. More than 4600 children under five were seen at emergency departments with flu-like symptoms and and more than 960 were admitted – an increase of more than 40 per cent in presentations and admissions compared to 2024.

“The immunisation rate of children under five is only 24 per cent – far lower than we need it to be,” Park said.

“Needles can sometimes be a big hurdle for young children getting a flu vaccine, and challenging for parents.

“I urge everyone in NSW to protect themselves and their families this winter from serious illness by getting the flu vaccine.”

Last month the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) released new data showing that childhood vaccination coverage in Australia has fallen for the fifth consecutive year. At the same time, NCIRS warned there has been a resurgence of whooping cough (pertussis), diphtheria and measles cases, along with recent outbreaks of polio in nearby regions.

NSW Health says the best time to get a flu vaccination is before winter. The new nasal spray vaccines will be available from April to June, or until stock runs out.