- The Crisafulli Government’s free nasal spray flu vaccine program is now available for kids and teenagers aged 6 to 17 who struggle with or are uncomfortable getting a needle vaccination.
- This expands on the existing program providing free nasal spray flu vaccine access for children aged two to five years.
- Now is the ideal time for Queensland families to protect children from flu before the start of winter and while nasal spray flu vaccine stock is available.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering Australia’s largest and most accessible free flu vaccination program, after the former Labor Government left the program unfunded in their last Budget.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering easier access to health services by expanding eligibility for the free nasal spray FluMist vaccine to children and teenagers, aged 6 years to under 18 years, who struggle with or are uncomfortable receiving needle vaccination.
This expansion is backed by the Crisafulli Government’s $31 million free flu vaccination program, which continues to be available at participating GPs, pharmacies and vaccination clinics.
While the former Labor Government left the free flu program unfunded, the Crisafulli Government has grown its offering to be the largest in the nation.
To date, more than 1 million Queenslanders have been vaccinated against flu, with a marked increase in our youngest Queenslanders.
As of 18 May, 39,630 children aged six months to five years have been vaccinated, an increase of 9,530 compared to the same period last year.
Within the two-to-five-year cohort, 20,380 of the 29,140 vaccinated children received the FluMist nasal spray.
The expansion follows feedback from health professionals and families, including parents of children with disability or sensory sensitivities, who said the nasal spray vaccine would make flu vaccination significantly less stressful and more accessible.
It is just one way the Crisafulli Government is delivering easier access to health services after Labor’s decade of decline, which left Queensland in a Health Crisis with soaring ramping rates and an out-of-control elective surgery waitlist.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the expanded eligibility was delivering easier access to health services and making it easier for families to protect their children before winter.
“We have listened to clinicians and families who told us how valuable the needle-free option would be for a broader group of children beyond the 2-5 year olds already eligible,” Minister Nicholls said.
“By expanding this program, we’re removing barriers and making the vaccination process more comfortable for children and families who may otherwise avoid or delay vaccination.
“It’s about making it easier than ever before for Queensland families to protect their children ahead of winter.”
Families are encouraged to get vaccinated now ahead of the peak flu season while FluMist stock remains available.
Due to FluMist’s shorter shelf life, stock across Australia will expire at different times throughout winter, with all supplies expected to be unavailable nationally after early August.
Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Dr Marianne Gale encouraged families to take advantage of the expanded program ahead of peak flu season.
“This expanded access gives families another safe and effective option to protect children from flu without needing a needle and where clinically appropriate,” Dr Gale said.
“We want to give clinicians the ability to decide on the type of flu vaccine that would work best for a child.
“We don’t want any Queenslanders getting sick with the flu this winter and missing out on school, work or family events so now is the perfect time to get your free flu vaccination.”
To find out more about the program, and where to get your vaccination, visit the Queensland Health Flu Vaccination website.
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