Free Needle-Free Flu Vaccines for Young Children Across NSW

Robert Dwyer • 8 April 2026

Free Needle-Free Flu Vaccines for Young Children Across NSW

Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer has welcomed the rollout out across NSW of a free, needle-free flu vaccine for children aged two to four, making it easier than ever to protect young kids ahead of the winter flu season.
 

The nasal spray vaccine, delivered as a quick spray into each nostril, is painless and designed to remove one of the biggest barriers to childhood vaccination, fear of needles. It will be available through local GPs, community pharmacies and Aboriginal Medical Services.
 

“This initiative comes at a critical time, following one of the worst flu seasons on record. Last year, thousands of young children required hospital care due to influenza, with significant increases in both emergency department visits and hospital admissions,” Mr Dwyer said.


 “Despite this, the 25% vaccination rates in children under five remains below the state’s target of 40%.


“Increasing uptake of the flu vaccine in young children is an important step in protecting not only individual families, but the broader community. Higher vaccination rates help reduce the spread of illness and ease pressure on our local health services, particularly during the busy winter months.


“I encourage all families in the Port Macquarie electorate to book their flu vaccinations early. The earlier you are vaccinated, the sooner you and your loved ones are protected as flu cases begin to rise,” Mr Dwyer said.


Alongside vaccination, there are simple steps everyone can take to reduce the spread of respiratory illness. These include staying home when unwell, wearing a mask if you need to go out while sick, avoiding crowded indoor spaces, maintaining good hand hygiene, and considering a rapid antigen test before visiting vulnerable family members.

 

If your illness is not serious or life-threatening, I encourage you to contact Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for 24-hour advice from a registered nurse, helping ensure our emergency departments remain available for those who need urgent care.

 

“Protecting our community this winter is a shared responsibility, and vaccination remains our best defence against serious illness,” Mr Dwyer said.

Robert's Media Releases

by Robert Dwyer 18 July 2026
Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer is urging the NSW Government to deliver a budget that balances critical infrastructure investment with support for essential community services as cost-of-living pressures continue to impact local families.
by Robert Dwyer 17 July 2026
The NSW Liberals and Nationals have announced they will reinstate the Regional Seniors Travel Card if elected to government in 2027, providing vital cost-of-living relief for seniors living in regional communities.
by Robert Dwyer 8 July 2026
Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer says the growing number of businesses relocating from New South Wales to Queensland demonstrates the urgent need for payroll tax reform to restore the state's competitiveness.
by Robert Dwyer 8 July 2026
Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer has welcomed more than $1.27 million in NSW Government funding for the North Coast Regional Landcare Network (NCRLN), describing it as a significant investment in environmental stewardship, climate resilience and Aboriginal partnerships across the region.
by Robert Dwyer 8 July 2026
Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer says the NSW Government's $561 million Transport Affordability Package is being sold to the whole state, but two of its four headline measures are built for a network that doesn't exist on the Mid North Coast.
by Robert Dwyer 6 July 2026
Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer has welcomed the commencement of tough new laws that will hold commercial landlords accountable if they knowingly allow illicit tobacco and illegal vaping products to be sold from their properties.
by Robert Dwyer 6 July 2026
Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer has cautiously welcomed the launch of the state's new Development Coordination Authority (DCA), but says local homeowners and Port Macquarie-Hastings and Mid Coast Councils need a guarantee the one-stop- shop will actually speed up approvals in the regions, not just in Sydney.
by Robert Dwyer 26 June 2026
Member for Port Macquarie Robert Dwyer has responded to the NSW State Budget, welcoming some local investments while calling out the failure to fund Wrights Road, the Thrumster Wastewater Scheme and other critical infrastructure for the region.
by Robert Dwyer 25 June 2026
Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer has welcomed a major commitment from the NSW Liberals and Nationals to deliver the most competitive payroll tax regime in Australia, saying the reforms will provide much-needed relief for small and medium-sized businesses across the Mid North Coast.
Robert Dwyer said the report highlights serious concerns around affordability and accessibility
by Robert Dwyer 27 May 2026
Robert Dwyer reports highlights serious concerns around affordability, accessibility, workforce pressures & growing compliance burden placed on providers/educators.
Show More