Influenza vaccination

All Queensland residents over the age of 6 months can access the influenza vaccine for free in 2026.

Funded by the Queensland government, the 2026 Queensland Free Flu Vaccination Program will commence from 1 March 2026 as vaccine stock becomes available and concludes on 30 September 2026.

Enquiries about the 2026 program should be emailed to:  immunisation@health.qld.gov.au

Eligibility

There are no changes for people already eligible for free influenza vaccine under the NIP. Providers should continue to administer the NIP vaccines for NIP-eligible cohorts. Providers will continue to receive NIP funded influenza vaccines directly from the Queensland Health Immunisation Program (QHIP). Registration with QHIP is a governance requirement for access to NIP vaccines. 

For NIP eligible people, vaccine service providers should continue to administer the NIP vaccines received directly from QHIP. For people not eligible for NIP, vaccine service providers should continue to administer the influenza vaccine from their privately purchased stock. 

Seasonal influenza vaccines registered and available for use in Australia in 2026:

FluMist Nasal Spray

Prioritise actions to maximise uptake in eligible children: 

• posters and counter cards
• SMS reminders
• reminders at appointments / visits
• ensure FluMist stock with earliest expiry is used first.

Before you place a follow up order, check and use your stock on hand. 

The Queensland Nasal Spray Flu Immunisation Program has been expanded to include children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years (before they turn 18) who struggle with getting a needle. This is in addition to all Queensland children aged 2 to 5 years (before they turn 6) who are already eligible for free nasal spray flu vaccine under the program.

Clinicians may use their discretion to determine which patients struggle with getting a needle. Please use every patient interaction as an opportunity to offer flu vaccination.

The nasal spray influenza vaccine will be made available across Queensland, in General Practices, pharmacies, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Services, and other community immunisation providers.

FluMist may be available on the private vaccine market for people who are not eligible under the Queensland program. This can be discussed with immunisation providers. The traditional injectable influenza vaccines will continue to be available for those who prefer and those who aren’t eligible for FluMist.

Queensland Health has produced an FAQ and has further information available on their website.

Reimbursement - reimbursement requests MUST be submitted to Queensland Health prior to 31st of October 2026

Invoices for reimbursement must be submitted to vaccinationreimbursement@health.qld.gov.au. Please read the invoicing details information prior to submitting an invoice for reimbursement. 

Vaccination providers will be able to seek reimbursement for influenza vaccines administered between 1 March and 30 September 2026, noting not all providers will have vaccine stock by 1 March 2026. There will be a fixed rate reimbursement fee of $25 (excluding GST) for each privately purchased and administered influenza vaccine to Queensland residents who are non-NIP eligible people during the life of the program.

Providers should make every effort to ensure that people who are eligible for a NIP funded influenza vaccine receive this vaccine type. Queensland Health may not reimburse claims for privately purchased influenza vaccines that are administered to NIP eligible persons.

The reimbursement of influenza vaccines will only apply to vaccines administered during the 2026 Program.

More information on the reimbursement process will be made available for providers prior to the program's commencement. For further information, please email immunisation@health.qld.gov.au or visit the website.