Childhood Flu Vaccinations: GPs Call for Intranasal Shots
No More Tears: ACT Families Deserve Needle-Free Flu Protection Now
CANBERRA, ACT – as Australia grapples with its highest-ever recorded flu numbers, a powerful call is echoing across the Australian Capital Territory: it’s time for the ACT Government to prioritize children’s health by introducing needle-free influenza vaccinations. General Practitioners, backed by the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP), are urging the territory to follow the lead of other states and offer free intranasal flu vaccines for young children, starting next year for the 2026 flu season.
The urgency couldn’t be clearer. In 2025, Australia recorded a staggering more than 390,000 lab-confirmed flu cases nationwide. The ACT itself saw a concerning surge, with over 7,000 lab-confirmed cases this year, a meaningful jump from 4,839 in all of 2024. This ”deadly combination” of rising flu rates and falling vaccination rates is a public health crisis demanding immediate action.
dr. Rebekah Hoffman, Chair of RACGP NSW and ACT, minced no words in her advocacy for ACT families. “ACT families deserve nothing less,” she stated emphatically. “Other states and territories have already announced free intranasal flu vaccinations for young children; it’s time for us to catch up. If the Government does so, young lives will be saved.”
Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia have already committed to rolling out free intranasal flu vaccinations for children via their GPs next year, ahead of the 2026 flu season. this leaves ACT families at a distinct disadvantage, a disparity Dr. Hoffman finds unacceptable. “There is no reason why families in the ACT should be denied access to a lifesaving vaccine that will be rolled out in Queensland, New South wales, Western Australia, and South Australia next year ahead of the 2026 flu season. This is a virus that doesn’t discriminate, it strikes communities every year leaving patients in hospital in a serious condition, or worse.”
The key to this proposed solution lies in the delivery method: a simple, needle-free nasal spray. This innovation addresses a significant barrier to vaccination,as Dr. Hoffman highlighted: “These intranasal sprays will make such a difference, as we certainly know that many children are fearful of needles, and that two thirds of parents say the distress about vaccinating their child acts as a barrier.”
these needle-free sprays offer the same level of protection as conventional injections. They are a proven vaccine, thoroughly tested for safety and efficacy, and have been successfully used for years in countries like the United Kingdom, Finland, Italy, and Spain. These nations have seen substantial increases in vaccination coverage among high-risk patient groups,demonstrating the profound impact of removing the fear of needles.
Young children are among the most vulnerable to severe flu infections, including hospitalisation. While the ACT’s 2025 vaccination rate of 48.4% for children aged six months to five years compares favourably to other states and territories, Dr. Hoffman stressed that “it’s vital that we lift those rates even higher next year.”
Beyond the immediate benefit to children, the widespread adoption of needle-free vaccines would be a “cost-effective and necessary step” for broader community health.While measures like staying home when sick and practicing good hygiene are helpful, the decisive factor in reducing high flu case numbers is having more people vaccinated. When flu rates rise, it’s especially risky for those more vulnerable to experiencing severe effects, including older patients, the immunocompromised, and people with serious health conditions. Crucially, anyone, even or else young and healthy adults, can end up in hospital after contracting this virus.
Just as the COVID-19 vaccination rollout demonstrated the power of community immunity, the fight against influenza demands a similar commitment. Dr.Hoffman’s message is clear: “So, please spread the word to people in your life to get vaccinated every year.”
The call to the ACT Government is not just about catching up; it’s about protecting our most vulnerable, easing parental anxiety, and building a healthier, more resilient community for the 2026 flu season and beyond. ACT families deserve the same access to lifesaving, needle-free protection as their counterparts across australia. The time for action is now.