Australian States Launch Needle-Free Flu Vaccine

Several Australian states, including Australia===New South Wales, Australia===Queensland, Australia===South Australia, and Australia===Western Australia, have begun offering a free, needle-free nasal spray flu vaccine for children. This initiative aims to combat declining vaccination rates among young children, who are at higher risk of severe influenza. Australia===New South Wales has committed $4.4 million to its pilot program, targeting children aged two to four. Health Minister Ryan Park emphasized the benefit of a painless alternative for parents. While the nasal spray has been approved since 2016, its widespread free availability is new. Experts, including those from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Murdoch Children s Research Institute, anticipate this will significantly boost vaccine uptake and alleviate pressure on emergency departments, which saw a 40% increase in flu-related presentations and admissions for children under five in Australia===New South Wales in 2025.