In 2026, families in New South Wales will have access to a needle-free influenza (flu) vaccine for young children.
The intranasal FluMist nasal spray vaccine will be free for children aged 2 to under 5 years. It will also be available privately for children and teens up to 18 years of age. FluMist will allow parents to protect their young children from severe flu without the stress of a needle, as it is delivered via a painless and simple nasal spray.
Why is it important to vaccinate my child for the flu?
Although flu can be mild for some, it can also cause serious illness and hospitalisation, even in healthy children. Vaccination helps protect them from severe disease and reduces community spread, helping keep vulnerable people safer.
How does it work?
FluMist is a live-attenuated vaccine, meaning that it contains weakened strains of flu viruses that train the immune system to recognise the viruses. but cannot cause illness in healthy individuals.
It is given as a quick spray into each nostril and is rapidly absorbed. If a child sneezes or blows their nose afterwards, the vaccine will still work and does not need to be repeated.
Is it safe and effective?
The intranasal flu vaccine has been safely used in millions of children since 2003 and has been shown to be as effective as injectable flu vaccines, preventing up to half of influenza‑related hospitalisations in young children in the UK.
Common side effects are mild and short-lived, such as a runny nose or other mild respiratory symptoms. The vaccine is not suitable for children who are moderately or severely immunocompromised and should be used with caution for those who are close contacts of people with significant immunocompromise.
Where can my child get the intranasal vaccine?
The intranasal vaccine will be available for free at the GP for children aged two to under five and can be purchased privately for children aged five to under eighteen at GPs and certain pharmacies.
Find out more information about the intranasal flu vaccine in the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) Frequently Asked Questions resource.
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