Australia has decided to authorize, for the first time, the use of a nasal spray flu vaccine for children aged 2 to 17, as the 2026 flu season is expected to be particularly severe. This measure aims to improve vaccination coverage amid growing vaccine hesitancy.
This vaccine, marketed under the name Flumist, is already used in several countries, notably in the United Kingdom for about ten years. In Australia, its cost is estimated at around 28 euros per dose, with partial reimbursement in some states for eligible minors.
Health authorities hope this will make vaccination easier, especially for children reluctant to get injections. According to Queensland's Chief Medical Officer, Marianne Gale, this nasal vaccine works by exposing the body to weakened strains of the flu, allowing the immune system to develop effective protection without causing illness.
The decision comes amid a worrying trend: vaccination coverage remains low, with only one in four children vaccinated against the flu. Last year, more than 80,000 children under the age of five were not up-to-date with their vaccinations, a situation partly linked to the loss of confidence observed since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Health professionals are concerned about this trend. Some experts warn of the risk of an increase in deaths from preventable diseases if vaccination coverage does not improve. Young children, especially those under 5, remain the most vulnerable to serious complications from the flu.
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