As winter approaches, flu cases tend to rise and young children are among those most at risk of serious illness. The good news is that protection is available early and it’s free*.

Under Australia’s National Immunisation Program (NIP), children aged 6 months to under 5 years are eligible for a free flu vaccine to help protect them during the peak flu season.

A needle free nasal spray option for eligible children for the first time for children aged 2 to under 5 years. Our Medical is pleased to offer a nasal spray flu vaccine as an alternative to the traditional injection for clinics located in NSW and QLD. This nasal spray flu vaccine:

• Is needle free
• Is sprayed gently into the nose
• Provides the same level of protection as the injectable flu vaccine for this age group
• Has been used safely overseas for many years

The introduction of this option aims to make flu vaccination easier for families and improve uptake ahead of winter. As Minister Ryan Park explained:

“This new program will provide an accessible and convenient needle free option for children and improve vaccination uptake ahead of the 2026 winter flu season.”

Why flu protection matters for young children Influenza can be more than just a bad cold for young children. It can lead to serious complications, hospitalisation, and significant disruption for families. According to NSW Health data, children aged 0–4 years accounted for 13% of influenza notifications in NSW in 2025, with more than 3,000 emergency department presentations and over 600 hospital admissions for influenza like illness in children under five during that period¹.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has emphasised that:

“Influenza is a serious illness that can cause pneumonia, make chronic underlying medical conditions worse, and even lead to hospital admission or death. Even previously healthy children can experience severe complications from influenza.”

When should my child get vaccinated? Health experts recommend vaccinating early, before flu activity peaks. Getting vaccinated ahead of winter helps protect your child, your family, and the wider community. Even children who are otherwise healthy can become seriously unwell with influenza, making prevention an important step each year.

Speak to one of our GPs today about vaccination options available for your child.

References

1. NSW Health. (2025, 16 September). Free nasal spray influenza vaccine for children under five – Media Release. NSW Government. Available at: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/pages/default.aspx
2. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. National Immunisation Program Schedule – Influenza. Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/national-immunisation-program