The nasal spray vaccination has been used in other countries like America and the UK for more than 10 years and has been given to millions of children.
How the nasal spray flu vaccine works
The nasal spray flu vaccine works like other nasal sprays. It’s given as a small spray into each nostril and absorbed quickly, so even if you sneeze afterwards, it’ll still work.
The nasal spray flu vaccine is as effective as having the injection and you can’t get the flu from having it. It contains a small amount of weakened influenza virus. This helps build protection by showing the immune system how to fight the flu without causing it.
Like other flu vaccines, it’s updated each year to match the flu strains most likely to spread, so it’s best to have it every year.
Who can get it
The nasal spray flu vaccine is free for:
- all children aged 2 to 5 years (before they turn 6) because they have a higher risk of flu complications and spread it more easily to other people
- young people aged 6 to 17 years (before they turn 18) who struggle with needles.
The flu injection is still free for everyone else.
Side effects
The nasal spray flu vaccine works in a similar way as having it injected, and some children may:
- get a runny or blocked nose
- get a mild headache
- feel tired
- feel like eating less.
Some children with certain medical conditions shouldn’t get the nasal spray flu vaccine and serious side effects, such as anaphylaxis are very rare. Your child may still be able to have the injection instead. Your GP, pharmacist or vaccine provider will know what’s best for your child.
What’s in the nasal spray
The nasal spray doesn’t have any preservatives, such as thiomersal in it. The applicator also doesn’t have latex in it.
It does use hydrolysed gelatine from pork to help protect the active ingredients. Gelatine is widely used in medicines and vaccines. Read more about your faith and personal choices with pork products.
Allergy risks
Gentamicin antibiotic
The vaccine contains trace amounts of gentamicin sulfate (<0.015µg/dose). You shouldn’t receive the nasal spray flu vaccine if you have a known allergy to the antibiotic gentamicin.
Egg products
The vaccine may have trace amounts of egg protein [ovalbumin <1 µg of ovalbumin]). If you have an egg allergy, including a history of anaphylaxis, you can safely have the vaccine unless you’ve had a serious adverse reaction to:
- flu vaccines in general
- an ingredient in the flu nasal spray vaccine.
Flu nasal spray ingredients
Active ingredients | Three strains of the influenza virus
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Other ingredients |
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Potential allergens |
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Your faith and personal choices about pork products
The nasal flu spray contains porcine gelatine. It’s in a highly purified form so it’s different from the gelatine used in foods. A letter issued by the Council of Imams Queensland [PDF 269.63 KB] on 8 May 2026 states that: ‘the use of such a vaccine would be considered permissible, particularly where the objective is medical protection, disease prevention and public health benefit’. The flu injection doesn’t have porcine gelatine in it. If you prefer, your child can have the injection instead of the nasal spray.
Where to get vaccinated
Your child can get vaccinated at a:
- GP
- pharmacy
- community clinic
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Service.
They can have it at the same time as other routine childhood vaccines.
Find out where to get vaccinated.
Find out more
For more information about vaccination, contact your health provider or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) .
Find a vaccination provider
- Call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
- Use Healthdirect’s free service finder
- Call the National Immunisation Hotline on 1800 671 811
Information in your language
You can find information about vaccination in your language on the Queensland Government website.