- Free FluMist program expanded to include teenagers aged 12 to 17
- Builds on WA’s nation-leading FluMist program for children aged two to 11
- Needle-free vaccine to improve uptake and help reduce influenza transmission
- Free Flu vaccination program running until end of July 2026
- Winter Watch snapshot shows rising respiratory illnesses, demand on emergency departments
The Cook Labor Government is expanding Western Australia’s nationleading FluMist program, making the needlefree influenza vaccine available to young people aged 12 to 17.
This builds on the successful rollout of the nasal spray to children aged two to 11 and gives more families access to a simple, painless option for annual flu vaccination.
Schoolaged children and teenagers are major drivers of influenza transmission, often spreading the virus within households, schools and the wider community.
Increasing vaccination coverage in this age group will help reduce the spread of influenza and protect those most at risk of severe illness, including infants, older Western Australians and people with underlying medical conditions.
The needlefree option is also expected to improve uptake among teenagers who may otherwise avoid vaccination due to needle anxiety.
FluMist is available at GPs, community pharmacies, Aboriginal Medical Services and community immunisation clinics across WA.
The expansion complements broader State Government efforts to lift immunisation coverage and reduce the impact of seasonal illnesses.
Immunisation remains safe, effective and the best protection against serious influenza infection and hospitalisation.
In the week to 21 June, WA emergency departments recorded 918 respiratory illness presentations, including influenza.
As well as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity also continues to rise, with 3,167 cases reported so far in 2026 – well above the four-year average of 1,930 – and 608 people were hospitalised.
Almost half of RSV notifications this year have been in children under five.
RSV immunisation is available, and eligible Western Australians are encouraged to get vaccinated.
WA’s influenza vaccination targets for 2026 are:
- 6 months to 12 years old (target: 30 per cent) currently 19.8 per cent coverage;
- 65 and older (target: 65 per cent) currently 56.4 per cent coverage; and
- total population (target: 40 per cent) currently 26 per cent coverage.
To keep the community informed and help provide a clearer picture of winter pressures across the health system throughout winter, the Department of Health is publishing a weekly Winter Watch snapshot.
The snapshot includes immunisation target progress, respiratory illness presentations in emergency departments and the number of older patients in hospital awaiting federally managed agedcare places.
In May, an average of 361 medicallycleared patients per day were waiting for an agedcare placement.
The Winter Watch snapshot is available at https://access.health.wa.gov.au/winter-watch
As stated by Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton:
“Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and others from serious illness.
“We know needle anxiety can be a barrier for some young people, so providing a free needle-free option removes one more obstacle to getting vaccinated.
“Improving influenza vaccine coverage among children and teenagers not only protects them but also helps reduce the spread of influenza throughout the wider community.
“I also encourage eligible people, including mums-to-be and young children, to get vaccinated against RSV and stay well this winter.”
As stated by Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
“We know school-aged children and teens play an important role in the spread of influenza, which means vaccinating more young people helps protect families, classrooms and communities.
“By expanding FluMist eligibility to include teenagers, we’re making it easier for families to access protection and reducing the impact of influenza across Western Australia.
“This initiative builds on our commitment to improve access to vaccination and reduce pressure on our health system over winter.
“To help ease pressure on our emergency departments, we’re asking more Western Australians to ‘Be Wise. Immunise.’
“Getting the free flu vaccine is one of the best ways you can protect yourself and your loved ones.”
