Young Queensland children will the first in Australia to access a free non-injectable flu vaccine.
State Health and Ambulance Services Minister Tim Nicholls said a new nasal spray would be used in a trial paediatric influenza vaccination program for toddlers aged between 2 and 5, next year.
Minister Nicholls said FluMist was the first non-injectable influenza vaccine to be introduced to the Australian market.
He said as it was administered as a nasal spray it provided an alternative for children who were needle-averse.
“The Government is investing $5 million to bring a needle-free influenza vaccination to Queensland’s youngest kids for the first time in Australia.”
Minister Nicholls said FluMist was widely used for childhood vaccination overseas and had resulted in an increase in immunisation coverage and a reduction in hospital and GP flu presentation.
“Research has shown that six in 10 parents experience distress when thinking about vaccinating their child against influenza, and more than a quarter of young kids experience intense needle phobia.”
He said the influenza vaccine was funded under the Commonwealth Government’s National Immunisation Program for all children aged 6 months to less than 5 years of age, however, FluMist was not yet on this program.
“Under the program to be trialled next year in Queensland, parents will not have to pay when vaccinating their children aged 2 years to less than 5 years of age.”
Chief Health Officer Dr Catherine McDougall said FluMist had been used extensively overseas, including in the United Kingdom, contributing to increased influenza vaccine uptake among children.
“While younger children are less likely to experience serious cases of the flu, we know that they can be superspreaders,” Dr McDougall said.
“Importantly, this vaccination option will help reduce the spread of the flu from young kids to their siblings, parents and grandparents.”
She said in the first year of the UK’s FluMist program, vaccination rates reached approximately 40 percent in the target age cohort.
“Currently, influenza vaccination coverage among children under five years of age is under 20 percent in Queensland.
“Parental and child anxiety about needles is a major barrier, which is why Queensland Health has acted to ensure supply will be available for children aged 2, 3 and 4.”
She said FluMist would also be available to private patients aged up to 17.
