Nationals Member for Tweed Geoff Provest MP has today welcomed the expansion of eligibility for the free nasal spray flu vaccine to include all children and young people aged 2 to 17 years across NSW.
The expansion will also provide additional support to participating community pharmacies delivering the Nasal Spray Influenza Vaccination Program, improving access for families following the worst flu season on record in NSW.
The free nasal spray vaccine is gentle, painless, and available for a limited time through GPs, Aboriginal Medical Services, and participating community pharmacies while supplies last.
“Parents can now visit participating pharmacies and access a free, needle-free flu vaccination for children and young people aged 2 to 17 years,” Mr Provest said.
Vaccination rates among children remain too low. In 2025, fewer than 25 per cent of children aged six months to under five years were vaccinated against influenza in NSW, with vaccination rates among older children and adolescents even lower.
As of 16 May 2026, around 15 per cent of children aged 2 to under 5 years had received an influenza vaccine in NSW, compared with approximately 10 per cent at the same time in 2025. Encouragingly, 69 per cent of vaccinated children in 2026 received the nasal spray vaccine.
NSW recorded its highest number of influenza cases on record in 2025, with 186,768 notifications — an increase of 15.8 per cent compared with 2024, and 79 per cent higher than in 2023.
Vaccination remains the best protection against serious illness from influenza.
Under the National Immunisation Program, free influenza vaccine injections are available in 2026 for:
• Children aged six months to under five years
• Pregnant women
• Aboriginal people aged six months and over
• People aged 65 years and over
• People with certain medical conditions
The community is encouraged to book their flu vaccination early through their GP, community pharmacy, or Aboriginal Medical Service.