- $4.78 million Cook Government investment to secure 130,000 intranasal influenza vaccines in 2026 to children aged between two and under 12 years
- Initiative to boost child vaccination rates ahead of next flu season
- Game-changer for needle-phobic children and their caregivers
- Quick and painless mist, provides equivalent protection to injectable influenza vaccines
Children aged between two and under 12 years old will have access to a needle-free alternative to the traditional injectable influenza vaccine ahead of the 2026 flu season.
The Cook Labor Government is investing $4.78 million to secure 130,000 doses of the FluMist intranasal vaccine for eligible children across Western Australia.
The intranasal vaccine is administered as a gentle nasal spray into both nostrils, making it convenient for children who experience needle anxiety.
It is safe and effective, providing the same protection against influenza type A and B viruses as currently available influenza vaccines for this age group.
The needle-free alternative is expected to increase the uptake for young children and will protect them against contracting the virus.
Influenza in children, even in otherwise healthy children, can cause serious illness leading to hospitalisation and, in rare cases, death.
In 2025 to 31 August, 25 per cent of influenza notifications in WA have been among children aged two to under 12 years old.
This year so far, there have been over 17,000 presentations to emergency departments in WA for respiratory-related illnesses in children, and more than 1,300 hospital admissions.
FluMist has been used widely in the Northern Hemisphere since 2003, with millions of children safely vaccinated.
It is approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use among Australian children.
The vaccine will be available ahead of the 2026 influenza season, which typically begins in May or June.
This is in addition to a range of other initiatives that the Cook Labor Government has supported to help protect Western Australians from serious illness, including the extension of this year's free flu vaccine program until the end of July.
The Cook Labor Government will continue to invest in initiatives that support the wellbeing of all Western Australians and provide healthcare where they need it, when they need it.
For more information about the influenza vaccine, visit HealthyWA .
As stated by Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton:
"The Cook Labor Government is proud to be investing in preventative health measures that keep Western Australians well.
"This new needle-free option will make it easier and more comfortable for parents to protect their children against influenza.
"This initiative is another strong step in our Government's commitment to lifting childhood immunisation rates, protecting families, and easing the strain on our hospitals during winter."
As stated by Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
"We're experiencing our state's worst flu season on record, but while winter is over the flu season is not, with reported virus rates the highest they've ever been for September.
"Our Government is looking at absolutely every measure we can take to protect Western Australians next flu season, and rolling out the FluMist vaccine for WA kids is part of our plan.
"This nasal spray gives parents a more comfortable and convenient option for vaccinating their kids and we believe this will significantly boost vaccine uptake next year.
"By improving vaccination rates for our youngest Western Australians, we're helping to stop the spread, keep our loved ones healthy, and ease the pressure on our health system."
