The NSW Government will provide a new free intranasal influenza vaccine for children aged two years to under five years, with the program set to begin next year ahead of the influenza season.

Influenza vaccination rates for children aged under five remain low. While anyone can get influenza, some people are at higher risk of severe illness, including children under five years of age.  

The new FluMist intranasal vaccine has been widely used in the Northern Hemisphere for many years and is undergoing regulatory approval in Australia ahead of next year’s influenza season.

The vaccine is sprayed into the nose and provides the same protection as the currently available vaccine for this age group. The vaccine will be available through general practitioners.

This needle-free alternative to the injectable influenza vaccine for children is expected to increase their uptake of the vaccine ahead of the 2026 winter influenza season.

It is expected that the vaccine will also be available in the private market for other age groups, depending on regulatory approval.

Influenza in young children causes significant impacts on the individual and the health system more broadly. In 2025 to 31 August, 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.

For more information on vaccination and NSW immunisation programs, visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/pages/default.aspx.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said, “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.”

NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant said, “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.”