tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Med J Aust
. 2026 Apr;224(4):e70188.
doi: 10.5694/mja2.70188.
The Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine in Australia: An Additional Tool for Influenza Prevention
Cyra Patel[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Alexis Pillsbury[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Tran Nguyen[SUP] 2 3 [/SUP], Xia Wang[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Helen E Quinn[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Clayton K Chiu[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Allen C Cheng[SUP] 4 5 [/SUP], Katie L Flanagan[SUP] 6 7 8 [/SUP], Zhicheng Wang[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Seasonal influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality in Australia. Despite long-standing recommendations for influenza vaccination and nationally funded programs for higher risk age or population groups, coverage remains suboptimal, especially among children. Introduction of the intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) in 2026 offers an additional safe and effective needle-free vaccine option. Easier administration may improve access by making delivery by a range of health care providers possible. This perspective article outlines the evidence supporting the use of the LAIV and its potential to improve vaccination uptake among children in Australia.
Keywords: childhood diseases; childhood vaccination; infectious diseases; vaccination coverage.
. 2026 Apr;224(4):e70188.
doi: 10.5694/mja2.70188.
The Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine in Australia: An Additional Tool for Influenza Prevention
Cyra Patel[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Alexis Pillsbury[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Tran Nguyen[SUP] 2 3 [/SUP], Xia Wang[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Helen E Quinn[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Clayton K Chiu[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Allen C Cheng[SUP] 4 5 [/SUP], Katie L Flanagan[SUP] 6 7 8 [/SUP], Zhicheng Wang[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 42002529
- DOI: 10.5694/mja2.70188
Seasonal influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality in Australia. Despite long-standing recommendations for influenza vaccination and nationally funded programs for higher risk age or population groups, coverage remains suboptimal, especially among children. Introduction of the intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) in 2026 offers an additional safe and effective needle-free vaccine option. Easier administration may improve access by making delivery by a range of health care providers possible. This perspective article outlines the evidence supporting the use of the LAIV and its potential to improve vaccination uptake among children in Australia.
Keywords: childhood diseases; childhood vaccination; infectious diseases; vaccination coverage.