NSW expands eligibility for free FluMist vaccine

A boost to vaccine coverage and strengthened public health outcomes ahead of winter flu season have been welcomed by the RACGP, as the New South Wales Government expands eligibility for free childhood intranasal flu vaccines.
 
Following ongoing advocacy from the college, the State Government has broadened eligibility to include all young people aged 2–17 years. Previously the nasal spray FluMist was only available in NSW for ages 2–4 years.
 
RACGP NSW&ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman applauded the recent launch of the needle-free vaccine to increase uptake in children in her state, saying at the time she ‘hoped in future years it will get expanded to primary school aged kids as well’.
 
Earlier this year, the RACGP also called for older children to be eligible for free intranasal flu vaccines in its pre-Budget submission – a sentiment echoed by families.
 
‘The flu can be really harmful and disruptive to a kid’s life, and they don’t lose their fear of needles when they turn five, or 15,’ Dr Hoffman said.
 
‘This is us adopting a safe new way to protect yourself from the flu, but more importantly, it makes that protection easy.’
 
As peak flu season looms, almost 32,000 laboratory confirmed flu cases have been recorded nationally so far in 2026, with more than 11,000 in NSW.
 
According to NSW Health, around 15% of children aged 2–5 years have received a flu vaccine in the state as of 16 May, with 69% of those vaccinated so far this year receiving the nasal spray option.
 
This is compared to less than 25% of children aged six months to under five years of age vaccinated in 2025, and the proportion of older children and adolescents who were vaccinated even lower.
 
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park says the FluMist option is important for increasing vaccination rates.
 
‘Influenza and other respiratory illnesses can have a massive impact on emergency departments during winter,’ he said.
 
‘The expansion of the nasal influenza vaccine will help to provide more options to parents and help make it a less stressful process.’
 
While the RACGP-backed rollout of the FluMist vaccine is underway across Australia, government-funded access and age eligibility varies across jurisdictions.
 
In Western Australia children aged 2–11 can receive the free vaccine, and in Queensland children aged 2–5, as well as for those ages 6–17 who struggle with needles.
 
South Australia offers the free nasal spray for ages 2–4. Meanwhile the ACT, NT, Tasmania, and Victoria have it available for ages 2–17, but currently do not offer state-funded FluMist immunisation programs.
 
With almost 6000 laboratory-confirmed flu cases recorded in Victoria this year to date, RACGP Victoria Chair Dr Anita Muñoz is urging the State Government to join other states in expanding funding for all eligible ages to receive FluMist.
 
‘The Victorian Government can and should make vaccination needle-free and fear-free for children, and easy for their parents, before our flu season truly gets started,’ she said.
 
‘GPs at my practice have administered intranasal vaccines for a fair number of children already. No tears, no fear, just a quick spray to the nose. It’s a world of difference.’
 
With Victorian families currently facing an average out-of-pocket private fee of $60 per child to access needle-free flu vaccines, Dr Muñoz said cost to avoid a needle is ‘friction against vaccination’.
 
This year, 15.2% of children aged 2–5 have received a flu vaccine nationally, compared to 11.9% in 2025. Following NSW, Queensland, SA, and WA funding intranasal vaccinations for younger age groups, flu vaccination coverage increased.
 
Dr Muñoz says this is strong evidence the option boosts uptake.
 
‘Vaccination rates have been falling, and we shouldn’t ignore what we’re seeing in other states,’ she said.
 
‘Free intranasal vaccines appear to be making a real difference ... The first year these vaccines have been easily accessible for a large share of Australian children is also the first year we’ve seen a significant increase in flu vaccine uptake since 2020.
 
‘Needle-free vaccines are the best thing we’ve seen in years, and the Government should make sure all Victorian families can access them.
 
‘We should be making things as easy as possible for kids and families to stay safe over winter.’
 
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