<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A nasal spray vaccine for kids under five will be rolled out in </span><a href="http://www.9news.com.au/queensland" rel="" target="" title="Queensland"><span>Queensland</span></a><span> ahead of next year's </span><a href="http://www.9news.com.au/flu" rel="" target="" title="flu"><span>flu</span></a><span> season, meaning one less painful needle for little ones.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Flu Mist nasal spray will be included in the free vaccination schedule next year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's an intranasal immunisation for children aged two to five, which will mean that age group won't need to have a needle," Chief Health Officer Dr Catherine McDougall said.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/side-hustle-success-story-candy-claws-founders-made-20-million/50ed5853-0318-4358-9d86-9eb116821ebb" target="_blank"><strong><span>These siblings started a business with a few hundred bucks. It's made $20 million</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Health authorities are hoping it will lift the rate of flu vaccination in kids under five, which is currently less than 20 per cent.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Hundreds of infants and young children were hospitalised for flu this season, with 95 per cent of them unvaccinated.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The pain-free vaccine, sprayed into both nostrils, has shown great results in the UK, McDougall said.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/flu-vaccine-spray-queensland-nasal-spray-flu-vaccine-to-be-rolled-out-for-kids-in-queensland-next-year/b5e2721b-e120-4941-bc86-c9aeb9272922" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"They've been doing this for almost 10 years," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"They've seen a dramatic increase in the uptake of vaccinations for children."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The risk of side effects is low but can include those associated with usual flu jab reactions, including a head ache or runny nose.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The evidence from overseas shows that the vaccine is very safe," McDougall said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Flu Mist will be available for two, three and four-year-olds as part of the 2026 flu program, Health Minister Tim Nicholls confirmed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"You'll be able to go to your GP, your community pharmacy, anywhere you can get the free flu shot now, you'll be able to get the free Flu Mist," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple App Store</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>.</span></em></strong></div></div>