Queensland Expands Free Needle-Free Flu Vaccine for Teenagers
20 May 2026
This makes Queensland home to the largest free intranasal flu vaccination program in Australia. The program was previously available only to children aged 2 to 5.
Health leaders have welcomed the move, saying it will help improve vaccination rates and make flu protection easier for families.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) in Queensland said the expansion follows direct advocacy to state health officials, with GPs highlighting the need for more flexible vaccine options for children who struggle with injections.
Doctors say many families have already taken up the expanded eligibility, with older children now booking in to receive the needle-free option.
Queensland has already delivered more than one million flu vaccinations this year as part of its statewide immunisation program.
Other states, including South Australia, New South Wales, and Western Australia, also offer FluMist programs for younger children, but Queensland now has the broadest age coverage.
Health authorities are encouraging families to get vaccinated ahead of the peak flu season, noting that influenza caused more than 1,700 deaths across Australia last year.
GPs say they play a key role in helping families choose the most appropriate flu vaccine option and ensuring safe and timely immunisation.
https://www1.racgp.org.au/
Source: Australian health news report / RACGP update