Needle-phobic children will be able to access free flu vaccinations in the form of a nasal spray to overcome low vaccination rates.

Parents in Queensland and NSW will be able to access a nasal-spray vaccination ahead of the next flu season in a bid to protect children from illness and increase herd immunity.

Children can suffer severe illness from influenza, and can also act as "superspreaders" who infect siblings, parents and grandparents.

But vaccination rates are typically lower for children than adults, with hopes that an easy to administer nasal spray can boost immunisations.

"Needles and children can be a bit of a difficult relationship," NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said on Tuesday.

Non-injectable nasal spray vaccines are used overseas but less so in Australia.

Free vaccinati

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