Pictured are two of Flannery’s Forbes Pharmacists : Pharmacy intern Sami Duggan and Pharmacist Brooke Young.
It’s hoped a new nasal spray influenza vaccine will provide a needle-free alternative for children and help increase the vaccination uptake.
The NSW Government’s Intranasal Influenza Vaccination Program, for children aged two years to under five years, commences in April for a short period of time.
NSW Health will assess whether a needle free alternative increases influenza vaccination coverage. FluMist is also available as a patient funded vaccine for patients 5-18 years old.
“Understandably many young children don’t like receiving vaccinations, so we hope this new nasal spray provides a needle free alternative,” Managing Partner at Life Pharmacy and Flannery’s Pharmacy Forbes, Sarah Hazell, said.
“We have already seen many cases of influenza in our community the past month and it was a severe flu season across Australia last year. Thousands of children under the age of five presented to emergency departments across NSW with the flu. Our priority is to help prevent this and ensure we’re protecting the youngest members of our community in the best possible way.”
Adult influenza vaccinations have now l also been updated following last year’s flu season, which saw Australia record the highest number of deaths involving influenza this century.
There were 1,701 deaths where influenza was the direct cause, or a contributor, registered for 2025 compared to 1,045 in 2024 and 611 in 2023. Flu vaccines have been updated for 2026 with two new A strains, and National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccines will be available from April.
Both Life Pharmacy and Flannery’s Pharmacy are taking bookings and accepting walk-ins for influenza vaccination.