Overview
- NSW has begun a $4.4 million pilot that offers a free nasal-spray flu vaccine to all two-, three- and four-year-olds through GPs, pharmacies and Aboriginal medical services, covering more than 130,000 children.
- The vaccine is needle-free and given as one spray in each nostril, a method doctors say can reduce fear and make appointments less stressful for families.
- Health Minister Ryan Park said the program aims to lift vaccination in a high‑risk age group and keep more young children out of hospital.
- Other states have similar funding this year, with Queensland and South Australia covering ages two to five and Western Australia covering two to 11, while families outside funded groups face private costs of about $50 to $70.
- Under‑five flu vaccination has dropped to about 25.7% by September 2025 from 44.6% in 2020, and NSW officials cite last season’s toll of more than 24,500 cases, over 4,600 emergency visits and more than 960 hospital admissions in young children.