Children as young as two years of age can now receive their influenza vaccine from their local pharmacy, which will relieve pressure on GP's.

Previously, primarily only GP's were authorised to vaccinate children younger than five for influenza.

In NSW, the influenza vaccination coverage for 6-month-olds to under 5-year-olds has declined from 41.3 per cent in 2020 to 25.4 per cent in 2024.

Authorising community pharmacist immunisers to vaccinate children as young as 2 years of age against influenza is expected to boost access to the vaccine as parents will now be able to bring their children to get vaccinated closer to home and without having to wait for a GP appointment.

The NSW Government has amended the NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards to allow for this expansion of eligibility.

This announcement follows the launch of the official winter vaccination campaign by the NSW Government ahead of the peak respiratory virus season.

International experience indicates the possibility of a higher-than-usual influenza activity season this year. The state government has worked to get the supply of vaccines out to doctors and pharmacists.

Families with young children can also access the influenza vaccine through their general practitioner.

More information on the NSW pharmacist vaccination program can be found on the NSW Health Website here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/pharmacist-vaccination-expansion.aspx.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said, “We want to make it as accessible and as convenient as possible for young children to receive their influenza vaccine ahead of a severe winter season.

“Children aged two years and older can now receive their vaccine from their local family pharmacist.

“We know it can be difficult to find a GP, and we are taking pressure off our GP's with this rule change.

“Vaccination is the best protection from serious illness from influenza.”