The rollout: needle-free nasal spray for under-fives
A new intranasal influenza vaccine will be offered to children aged two to five ahead of the 2026 flu season in Australia. Marketed as a needle-free option, the spray is designed to be easier for families and clinicians to administer, with the goal of increasing vaccination uptake and reducing influenza-related hospitalisations among a high-risk group.
Official support and frontline views
In announcing the intranasal FluMist vaccination on September 16, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners described the option as “as easy as it is lifesaving.” Illawarra GP Dr Julie Blaze welcomed the development, saying it adds an important alternative delivery method where traditional injections have been a barrier.
Dr Julie Blaze on why options matter
“It’s good to have extra options because the concern is that there have been dropping rates of vaccination,” Dr Blaze said. “One of the high-risk groups for influenza, apart from the elderly, is children under five and there has been a significant drop-off in the number of those children that were vaccinated this last flu season. If there’s an alternate delivery system, then that’s certainly giving people who that is a barrier for another option.”
Vaccination rates and hospitalisation data
National immunisation rates for children under five have fallen from more than 44 per cent in 2020 to under 26 per cent in August 2025, according to the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance Australia. Beyond vaccination rates, officials emphasise that reducing influenza infections in young children can help prevent hospitalisations and severe illness.
Recent local figures
NSW Health data indicates more than 18,600 flu cases among children aged under five so far this year, making them the second-most affected age group after five to nine-year-olds. The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District recorded almost 6,000 flu infections across all age groups in the first eight months of the year. Health officials say every measure that supports vaccination may help ease pressure on hospitals during peak season.
Public health context: fatigue, misinformation and trust
Dr Blaze notes that there is ongoing public fatigue from COVID‑19 and widespread medical misinformation online. She urges families to rely on trusted sources for information about vaccines and to discuss options with their GP or local health service. “You need to go to a trusted source and try not to read the rubbish,” she said, underscoring the importance of accurate, evidence-based guidance in making vaccination decisions.
What this means for families
The intranasal vaccine offers a practical alternative for parents who have avoided vaccines due to needle anxiety or logistical hurdles. While it remains one part of a broader immunisation strategy, public health officials hope it will improve uptake among children aged two to five and, in turn, reduce the burden of flu-related illness in the community as the 2026 season approaches.
Conclusion
As Australia gears up for the 2026 flu season, the introduction of a needle-free nasal spray for young children represents a strategic effort to make vaccination more accessible. If uptake improves, the country could see fewer hospitalisations and milder seasons, reinforcing the role of immunisation in protecting vulnerable populations.
