More young Western Australians will have access to needle-free protection against influenza this winter, with the WA Government expanding its nation-leading FluMist® program to include teenagers aged 12 to 17 years.
The expansion builds on WA’s first-of-its-kind program for children aged two to 11 years, giving more families access to a convenient nasal spray vaccine designed to improve influenza vaccination uptake and help reduce transmission of the virus across the community.
Researchers at The Kids Research Institute Australia have long advocated for innovative approaches to vaccination that make protection easier and more accessible for children and families.
Professor Chris Blyth, Head of the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases at The Kids, said removing barriers to vaccination was critical to improving coverage among young people.
“Through extensive consultation with parents and immunisation providers, we know needles can be a significant barrier to vaccination for children and young people,” Professor Blyth said.
“FluMist offers the same level of protection against the flu as the traditional injectable vaccine and has been successfully implemented in vaccination programs throughout the northern hemisphere for over 20 years, so it’s fantastic see our 10-year campaign to bring it to Australia come to fruition.”
The expanded FluMist program comes as respiratory illnesses continue to rise across Western Australia, with the latest Winter Watch snapshot showing increased demand on emergency departments from respiratory presentations, including influenza.
“This extension of the free flu vaccine program to the end of July is an important reminder that it’s not too late to be vaccinated,” Professor Blyth said.
“The influenza vaccine is the best way to protect yourself, your family and your community.”
The free WA influenza vaccination program is available until the end of July 2026, giving families more time to access protection ahead of the peak winter flu season.
For more information about influenza vaccination, visit HealthyWA.
First published Wednesday 8 July 2026.
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