Both Queensland and NSW have committed to funding a needle-free influenza vaccine for children under five, to commence in 2026.
GPs will be funded to provide intranasal flu vaccines for children under five in both Queensland and NSW from next year.
FluMist, sponsored by AstraZeneca, is a live attenuated influenza vaccine administered via nasal spray.
It has not yet been approved in Australia, according to NSW Health.
“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,” NSW Health said.
The regular influenza vaccine is funded under the National Immunisation Program for all children aged between six months and five years.
The new program is intended to provide parents with a needle-free option.
“Our investment means that parents can avoid the anxiety of a needle injection for their young ones,” Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls said.
“Research has shown that six in 10 parents experience distress when thinking about vaccinating their child against influenza, and more than a quarter of young kids experience intense needle phobia.”
Both states said the intranasal vaccines will be free at point of care for under-fives.
This year, children younger than four have accounted for 41,833 cases of influenza nationwide, the highest of any age group bar children aged between five and nine.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Catherine McDougall said the new vaccine option will help reduce the spread of flu from younger children to their siblings.
AMA Queensland president Dr Nick Yim said this year had seen a “significant rise” in flu hospitalisations across the state, with immunisation data indicating that just 20% of children under five had received the flu vaccine.
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“Many families would have experienced a young child bringing home a virus that winds up affecting everybody,” he said.
“This free non-injectable vaccine removes an obstacle from those who might be needle-phobic.
“Meanwhile the traditional flu vaccine is still available for free until the end of September, and we urge Queenslanders to take advantage of it.”
In NSW, the flu immunisation rate sits at about 26% for children under five, according to the RACGP.
“No one likes injections, and even about a quarter of adults have a severe fear of needles,” RACGP NSW chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman said.
“As GPs, we know that’s a barrier to achieving the immunity our young patients need, and this Minns Government initiative breaks that barrier.
“Needle-free vaccines have been used overseas and thoroughly tested for safety and efficacy.
“Next year, these kids’ experience of vaccination won’t be a scary needle, just a quick spray up the nose – at no cost to parents. That’s a relief for parents as much as it is children.”
It’s understood that the intranasal vaccine will be available to private patients, pending regulatory approval.
