‘Northern Territory families are being left behind”: NT GPs call for childhood intranasal flu vaccinations

GPs are calling on the Northern Territory Government to follow other parts of the country and commit to rolling out needle-free influeza vaccinations for young children next year. 

It comes following Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia announcing free childhood intranasal vaccinations ahead of the 2026 flu season next year. Earlier this week, the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) sounded the alarm following a record flu season in 2025 featuring more than 410,000 lab-confirmed cases nationwide, which already eclipses the previous all-time high of 365,000 cases recorded last year. 

RACGP Northern Territory Chair Dr Sam Heard urged the Northern Territory Government to act. 

“The Government must commit to rolling out free, intranasal flu vaccinations for young kids next year,” he said. 

“I can’t think of a more sensible and necessary public health investment. This is a cost-effective and necessary step to keep young children, who are among the most at risk from a severe flu infection including hospitalisation, as safe as possible. 

“All Territorians should be asking themselves a simple question – why have other states and territories already announced free intranasal flu vaccinations for young children? Northern Territory families are being left behind, and it’s time for us to catch up.”  

Dr Heard said intranasal vaccinations are making an enormous difference overseas. 

“We know these intranasal sprays work. Many children are fearful of needles and two thirds of parents say the distress about vaccinating their child acts as a barrier. Removing all barriers to vaccination is so important,” he said. 

“I can assure all Territorians that these needle-free vaccines provide the same level of protection, they’ve been used overseas in countries such as Italy, the United Kingdom, Finland, and Spain for years and have been thoroughly tested for safety and efficacy. Where they’ve been rolled out, these countries have seen substantial increases in vaccination coverage in high-risk patient groups – which is just what we need to achieve here in Australia.” 

Dr Heard encouraged all patients to get vaccinated against the flu every year. 

“We have record flu numbers, and declining vaccination rates,” he said. 

“This year, in the NT, we’ve already had 4000 lab-confirmed influenza cases, compared to 3299 cases in all of last year. The true number of flu cases Territory-wide is no doubt far higher. The most concerning thing is that not enough people are getting vaccinated against the flu, and we must reverse that trend. 

“In the Territory, just 35.4% of children aged six months to five years, and only 34.9% of patients aged 65 years or older, are vaccinated against the flu. The number one thing you can do to help keep yourself, your family members, and your community, as safe as possible is to get vaccinated.  

“We must tackle complacency; influenza can land otherwise young and healthy people in hospital in a very serious condition. Consider too that when vaccination rates fall and flu cases rise, patients more vulnerable to severe effects, such as young kids, older patients, the immunocompromised and people with multiple chronic conditions, are more likely to contract this virus.  

“We’re all in this together – let’s do all we can to help keep our communities as safe as possible.” 

Earlier this year, the RACGP urged Australians to protect themselves and others against influenza, warning of rising case numbers and hospitalisations during the peak winter months.  

~ENDS 

RACGP spokespeople are available for interviews: 03 8699 0992 / [email protected]