A flu vaccine taken as a nasal spray will be rolled out to Queensland children next year in a bid to lift toddler and preschooler vaccination rates.

The Queensland government said the product, called FluMist, had been used extensively overseas, including in the UK.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls said on Tuesday it would mean parents could avoid the anxiety of a needle injection for their children, as research showed more than a quarter of kids experienced intensive needle phobia.

Health authorities are urging more young people to get the flu vaccine. Credit: Paul Jeffers

Chief Health Officer Dr Catherine McDougall said providing an option for children who were needle-averse could increase uptake of the flu vaccine, with the current vaccination rate for kids under five at less than 20

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