Needle-free flu vaccine now available in Australia

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As we move into the cooler autumn months after a long, hot Australian summer, we know that flu season is not far away. Despite increasingly unpredictable seasonal patterns in Australia, with longer summers and shorter winters,¹ the peak flu period still usually falls between June and September.²

According to statistics, flu vaccination rates remained suboptimal last year in Australia.³ ⁴ 2025 was marked as one of the worst years on record for influenza, with more than 410,000 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases identified across Australia.³ ⁴

The 2025 flu season in Australia followed patterns that differed from what was typical. Influenza activity remained elevated longer than usual, extending well beyond winter and was marked by shifts in the dominant circulating strains.⁵

Towards the end of winter, a fast-spreading H3N2 influenza strain emerged in Australia and was associated with increased influenza activity and respiratory illness during the 2025 season.⁵ There is currently no evidence that this variant is more severe, but health authorities note that influenza viruses continue to evolve and require ongoing monitoring.⁵

Professor Chris Blyth, a Paediatrician at Perth Children’s Hospital and head of the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases at the Kids Research Institute Australia said that we cannot underestimate the importance of the humble flu vaccine.⁶

“Vaccinations continue to be one of the most effective ways to protect children and communities from serious infectious diseases,” Professor Blyth says.⁶

“This year we’re making it easier than ever for kids to get theirs with the introduction of an intranasal flu vaccine in Australia. It has been part of vaccination programs for children in the northern hemisphere for over twenty years. This is a gentle nasal spray and provides the same protection against influenza A and B as traditional injectable vaccines. We believe this will be a game changer to support flu vaccination uptake among children and a great alternative for kids who have a fear of needles. This will protect them, but also because children often spread flu, provide significant protection to those around them.”⁶ ⁷

The new intranasal flu vaccine option has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for children aged between 2 and 17 years.⁷ Additionally, Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales have announced that there will be state-funded programs available* for this new intranasal flu vaccine, allowing better access.²

For more information on the intranasal flu vaccine or to book in for your 2026 Flu Vaccination, please visit your local Pharmacy 777 Pharmacy or click here.

*Age eligibility for state funded programs applies. State funded access is available for children aged 2 to 11 years in WA, 2 to 5 years in QLD and 2 to 4 years in NSW. A pharmacist administration fee applies for children aged 2 to 4 years in SA. For children who do not meet the age eligibility for state funded programs, the intranasal flu vaccine is available privately for children aged 17 years and under; contact your local Pharmacy 777 for private stock availability and to book an appointment.²

 

References

1. CSIRO — State of the Climate
   https://www.csiro.au/en/research/environmental-impacts/climate-change/state-of-the-climate 
2. ATAGI Statement on the administration of seasonal influenza vaccines in 2026
   https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/atagi-statement-on-the-administration-of-seasonal-influenza-vaccines-in-2026?language=en 
3. RACGP — Australia posts record-breaking flu numbers as vaccination rates stall
   https://www.racgp.org.au/gp-news/media-releases/2025-media-releases/october-2025/australia-posts-record-breaking-flu-numbers-as-vac 
4. National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) — Influenza vaccination coverage data
   https://ncirs.org.au/influenza/influenza-vaccination-coverage-data 
5. World Health Organisation — Influenza update and surveillance guidance
   https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON586#:~:text=2.4.,and%20updates%20guidance%20as%20needed 
6. The Kids Research Institute Australia — WA Government launches game-changing vaccine
   https://www.thekids.org.au/news–events/news-and-events-nav/2025/october/wa-government-launches-game-changing-vaccine/ 
7. AstraZeneca — Intranasal Influenza Vaccine FluMist TGA registered for use in Australian children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 years
   https://www.astrazeneca.com.au/news/media-releases/2024/Intranasal-Influenza-Vaccine-FluMist-influenza-virus-vaccine-TGA-Registered-for-use-in-Australian-Children-and-Adolescents-Aged-2-to-17-Years.html 

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