Gathered at Kirrawee Family Medical Practice, NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park announced the rollout of free nasal spray flu vaccines for children aged two to four years old.

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This initiative aims to bolster immunisation rates following the state's worst flu season on record, providing a needle-free alternative to traditional injections.

Under the new program, the vaccine will be available at GPs, Aboriginal Medical Services, and community pharmacies. The treatment involves a simple, painless spray into each nostril, offering a gentle solution for young children who may be frightened by needles.

The urgency of the program is underscored by health data from 2025, a year that saw NSW record 186,768 influenza notifications.

This marked a 15.8 per cent jump from 2024 and a 79 per cent increase compared to 2023. Among children under five, there were more than 24,500 cases last year, leading to more than 4600 emergency department presentations and 960 hospital admissions-a 40 per cent increase in hospitalisations for this age group compared to the previous year.

Only 24.4 per cent of children under five in NSW are vaccinated, falling well short of the 40 per cent target set in the state's latest immunisation strategy.

Mr Park said the needle-free option is intended to remove the emotional hurdles often associated with childhood vaccinations.

"I know how unsettling it can be for some parents taking a child to receive a vaccine, so being able to offer a needle-free alternative is a real win for those parents," he said.

Heathcote MP Maryanne Stuart, who was also at the announcement, said parents in the community want stress-free ways to keep their children healthy.

"After the increase in children presenting to emergency departments last year, the nasal spray influenza vaccination is an important step in keeping our children out of hospital," she said.

Health officials are encouraging families to act early, as the vaccine offers the best protection when administered before the peak of the flu season. Kerryn Coleman, Executive Director of Health Protection NSW, said "the earlier you get vaccinated, the sooner you will be protected."

Medical professionals have welcomed the policy as a significant shift in public health strategy. Rebekah Hoffman, Chair of the RACGP NSW/ACT and co-owner of Kirrawee Family Medical Practice, described the free nasal spray as a "game-changing policy" given that two-thirds of children have a strong fear of needles.

The standard 2026 flu injection remains free for infants under five, pregnant women, Indigenous Australians, seniors over 65, and those with serious health conditions.