Nasal Spray Vaccine to Be Offered to Children Aged 2 to 5 in NSW in 2026

The state government said more than 3,000 children had presented to emergency departments with ‘influenza-like’ illness.

The picture shows a child being administered with a nasal spray flu vaccine. Sung Pi-Lung/The Epoch Times

The New South Wales (NSW) Labor government plans to provide a needle-free nasal flu vaccine for children in 2026 ahead of the flu season.

The FluMist intranasal influenza vaccine funded by the taxpayer will be available for children between two and five years for free.

The vaccine will be delivered via a spray into the nose instead of injection via a general practitioner (GP).

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

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

The state government said in 2025, more than 3,000 children aged under five had presented to emergency departments with flu-like illnesses. Six hundred children in this age range have been admitted to hospital.

Health Minister Ryan Park argued emergency departments (EDs) had been under pressure from winter illnesses. He said the new vaccine would relieve pressure on these emergency wards next winter.

“We hope the offering of a needle-free alternative will support parents’ decisions to protect their children against this serious disease,” he said.

The state government pointed out influenza weighed significantly on both young children and the health system.

Subject to regulatory approval, the nasal vaccine is likely to be available in the private market for other age groups.

Children up to four years old accounted for 13 percent of influenza cases in New South Wales in the 2025 year up to Aug. 31. Children aged between five and nine accounted for 16 percent.

NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant reminded the public of the risks of flu, especially those with other medical conditions.

“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.”

Similarly, the Queensland government also announced a Nasal Spray Flu Immunisation Program for children aged two, three, and four years old for 2026.

“This program will use FluMist, a nasally administered influenza vaccine, which is approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA),” the state government said.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACPG) called for other states to follow the lead of NSW and Queensland.

“No-cost needle-free vaccines is a game-changing policy from the NSW Government. Two-thirds of parents say the distress about vaccinating their child is a barrier,” RACGP NSW&ACT Chair Dr. Rebekah Hoffman said.

What Are the Symptoms?

Influenza symptoms include cough, sore throat and runny or stuffy nose, along with fever and chills. Other symptoms include feeling tired, aches, joint pains, headache and fatigue.

The flu is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus A and B strains, with many sub-types and strains also existing.

“Influenza is more serious than the common cold. Severe cases can result in breathing difficulties due to pneumonia. Other complications from influenza include inflammation of the heart or brain, and sepsis,” NSW Health states.

Vaccine Hesitancy

A national survey of 1,987 parents of 3,201 children found that one in four children aged over four was afraid of needles.

Another poll from The Royal Children’s Hospital surveyed parents of children aged between six months and 17 years during April 2025.

They found 27 percent of children had an “intense fear” of needles, while 13 percent had a phobia great enough to prevent them from getting the flu vaccine.

Around 61 percent of children were likely to receive the vaccine in the 2025 flu season, based on parental intentions.

“Among parents not intending to vaccinate their child against the flu, almost three in four (71 percent) are not aware the flu vaccine is recommended every year,” the research found.

Majority of parents who planned to vaccinate their child against the flu preferred for it to be offered at school.