Children as young as 10 can now get the flu vaccine at a chemist

Pharmacists will now be able to administer the flu vaccine to children as young as 10 in a bid to stop the spread of both influenza and the coronavirus this season.

"Today I can announce that the government will be permitting pharmacists across the state, no matter where they are, to be able to provide vaccinations and give the vaccination for people under the age of 16," NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said this morning.

Previously, only those aged 16 and over could get the injection at a chemist.

Mr Hazzard urged everyone, "particularly those who are over the age of 65, those under the age of five, pregnant women, people who have perhaps had other respiratory issues such as asthma", to get immunised.

"Can I say that the flu vaccine, of course, while extremely important, it is also very, very important for the flu and the coronavirus as well, that people exercise the usual caution they should take," Mr Hazzard said.

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"Just remind folks that the most important thing you can do is either use a hand wash or simply use soap and water.

"Constantly be washing your hands in the next few months would help us all. We have a major, major issue at the moment, but it is manageable, it is manageable and every person in the community has a role."

The flu shot can also still be administered by a GP.

NSW Branch President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), Professor Peter Carroll, welcomed the change.

"This is a significant announcement from the NSW Government and will protect younger children from influenza and significantly increase immunisation rates in the state," he said.

"During 2019, NSW recorded the highest confirmed cases of influenza in Australia with children particularly susceptible to the flu. Studies have found that less than a third of children are being immunised each flu season and influenza causes a substantial number of ICU admissions in Australian children each year.

"Already, this year there has been 4725 confirmed cases of influenza in NSW and with the likely convergence of a COVID-19 pandemic with winter influenza, this move will help to bolster immunity in NSW."