From 1 March Queenslanders will be eligible to receive a free ‘flu vaccine in Australia’s largest and most accessible statewide program, including a needle-free vaccine for eligible children.
Member for Scenic Rim, Jon Krause, said: “For the first time, a Queensland Government will be introducing a needle-free nasal spray ‘flu vaccination which has been used extensively overseas.”
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Tim Nicholls, said the nasal spray vaccine was expected to improve vaccine take-up among young children by removing potential distress about needle vaccination.
He said the LNP Government would also amend legislation that would expand the scope of practice for trained health practitioners, meaning vaccinations could be administered by registered nurses, midwives, pharmacists, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners.
President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland Branch, Chris Owen, in welcoming the enhanced program, said pharmacists would play a bigger role in vaccinating Queenslanders.
“We applaud the Crisafulli Government for implementing the largest free ’flu program in Australia and for making the vaccine freely available for all Queenslanders not covered by the Commonwealth’s National Immunisation Program.”
In 2025, close to 100,000 influenza cases and more than 300 influenza-related deaths were recorded in Queensland. Most hospitalisations and deaths were among unvaccinated patients.