Afraid of injections? A Nasal Flu Vaccine is now available for children in Australia

According to a 2024 report, more than 2,300 children in Australia are hospitalised each year due to influenza, with nearly half under five years old, including cases requiring ICU care and some deaths. This year, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved a nasal flu vaccine to protect children in Australia but the question remains, is it free?

A nurse holds the Flu-Mist needle-less flu vaccine at Glebe Family Medical Practice in Sydney, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. A gentle, needle-less way to protect kids from the flu will be rolled out to hundreds of thousands of children for free in a bid to boost community immunity. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING Source: AAP / LUKAS COCH/AAPIMAGE

Key Points

• The nasal flu vaccine FluMist will be available for the first time for children aged 2 to 17 years.
• The nasal flu vaccine (FluMist) is a live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), meaning it contains a weakened form of live flu viruses that cannot cause influenza in healthy people, and studies show it provides protection for up to one year.
• FluMist will be free in some states and territories for selected age groups, and it will also be available at certain pharmacies and immunisation providers for a fee.
• Dr. Maria Arzineth Concepcion-Sison is a GP in Gold Coast, Queensland, with a special interest in child health and immunisation, chronic disease management, health assessments and preventive care, seniors’ health services, and women’s health.

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Afraid of injections? A Nasal Flu Vaccine is now available for children in Australia

SBS Filipino

12:33Filipino

It has high efficacy because it is a live vaccine, and studies show that FluMist provides protection against influenza for up to one year. Its advantage is that it is suitable for children who are afraid of injections, as it is delivered using a small nozzle and sprayed into both nostrils.

Dr Maria Arzineth Concepcion-Sison, Gold Coast-based GP

Dr. Maria Arzineth Concepcion-Sison encourages everyone to get vaccinated against the flu and to consider the nasal flu vaccine for children aged 2 to 17 years to help prevent severe symptoms that may lead to complications or even death, especially as winter approaches in Australia. Source: Dr Maria Arzineth Concepcion-Sison

Flu vaccination is essential, especially this winter, as it helps prevent severe symptoms since influenza is not just a simple cough or cold but can be deadly, leading to hospitalisation, ICU admission, or death, and can spread to vulnerable people such as the elderly, those who are ill, and newborns.

Dr Maria Arzineth Concepcion-Sison, Gold Coast-based GP

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