Dizzy is confident that she will be protected from flu in 2027 with the needle free FluMist.
For nine-year-old Dizzy, the best part of getting her flu vaccination this year wasn't just avoiding a needle, it was discovering the alternative actually smelled pretty good.
“I was scared about the needle, and then they said I could get the FluMist, and I think it smelled really nice, and it didn't hurt,” Dizzy said.
Dizzy was among more than 69,000 Queensland children and teenagers who rolled up their sleeves, or rather, didn't have to thanks to the introduction of the needle-free FluMist vaccine in 2026.
And there's more good news for families, with the popular nasal spray set to return as part of Queensland's free flu vaccination program in 2027.
The announcement follows a bumper year for flu vaccinations, with 1.74 million Queenslanders vaccinated against influenza in 2026.
The introduction of FluMist helped drive a 42 per cent increase in vaccination coverage among children aged under five compared with 2025, while the number of First Nations children aged under five vaccinated increased by 62 per cent.
More than half of the children who received FluMist this year had not received a flu vaccination in 2025.
For mum and doctor Katie, the needle-free option made protecting her two-and-a-half-year-old son Fred a breeze.
The pair visited their local pharmacy for Fred's vaccination, avoiding the tears and anxiety that can sometimes come with needles.
“It was a wonderful, pain-free and stress-free way to vaccinate against flu,” Katie said.
“I'm very glad to hear that FluMist will be funded again next year for Queensland.”
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Marianne Gale said the increase in childhood vaccination rates was an encouraging sign, particularly among families who may have previously struggled to access vaccination.
“It's encouraging to see a significant increase in vaccination coverage among young children this year, particularly among families who may not have previously accessed flu vaccination,” Dr Gale said.
But she reminded Queenslanders that influenza was much more than a bad cold.
“Influenza can cause serious illness, particularly among young children, older Queenslanders and people with underlying health conditions,” she said.
“This year to date, 4,646 people have been hospitalised for flu, 68 per cent were unvaccinated.
“Vaccination remains our best defence against serious illness, and I encourage all Queenslanders aged over six months to take advantage of the free program when vaccines become available next year.”
The $31 million 2027 program will again offer free flu vaccinations to Queenslanders, including FluMist for children aged two to four years and children aged five to 17 who struggle with needles.
Vaccinations will be available through a network of more than 2,800 GPs, pharmacies and community vaccination providers across Queensland.
The program is expected to begin ahead of the 2027 winter flu season, with further details to be announced.
As for Dizzy, she has some simple advice for other kids feeling nervous about their next flu vaccination.
“You could always get the mist instead. I liked the smell, and it doesn't hurt.”