FluMist is now available for children aged 2 to 17 years
Last year, 73% of people who were hospitalised with the flu had not been vaccinated. This year, Queensland is strengthening its response through the 2026 Free Flu Vaccination Program. From March until 30 September 2026, all Queenslanders from 6 months of age can be vaccinated for free. A new initiative is the Queensland Nasal Spray Flu Immunisation Program, which offers a needle-free nasal spray flu vaccine for children aged 2 to 5 and now also to children from ages 6 to 17 years. The 2026 Queensland Nasal Spray Flu Immunisation Program has been updated reflect this expanded age eligibility.
Queensland Health advises vaccine providers to make optimal use of publicly funded FluMist stock ahead of its expiry. Please check your stock expiry, as some FluMist stock will have expired on 7 June 2026, and other batches will expire in July 2026.
There’s still time to encourage your patients to get vaccinated
Keeping the focus on increasing flu vaccination rates in June will still be effective at reducing hospitalisations among your patients. Data from the Queensland Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance Report indicates the peak of flu infections in Queensland is still yet to happen.
To encourage vaccine uptake for your patients, Brisbane South PHN, in collaboration with GoShare Healthcare, has a free recall activity that could boost your practice’s influenza vaccination rates.
Submit your expression of interest for the 2026 Influenza Vaccination Recall Program. (Places are limited). If you have any questions about the recall activity, email [email protected] or phone 07 3864 7540.
About FluMist
Children aged 2 to 17 years (inclusive) who prefer not to get a needle can now be vaccinated using a nasal spray instead of having an injection.
The nasal spray doesn’t have any preservatives, such as thiomersal in it. The applicator also doesn’t have latex in it.
It does use hydrolysed gelatine from pork to help protect the active ingredients. If you care for patients who choose not to consume pork for ethical or religious reasons, information is available online concerning faith and personal choices with pork products.
Queensland Health information
For further information, please email [email protected].
More resources and support
The Australian Immunisation Handbook provides clinical advice for health professionals on the safest and most effective use of vaccines in their practice.
Want support identifying patients eligible for flu vaccination?
Our Quality Improvement team can support your practice to identify eligible patients and establish goals for increasing your vaccination rates. Contact the Quality Improvement team via [email protected] or phone (07) 3864 7540.
Morningside General Practice successfully transformed its influenza vaccination program, achieving an impressive 298% increase in vaccinations in 2024 compared to their 2023 rates, through a concerted quality improvement activity effort involving the whole practice team with support from a Brisbane South PHN Quality Improvement Coach. Read more about how Morningside General Practice were able to achieve their results.