Noah Liddy was among the first children to get a free nasal spray vaccine for influenza under an expanded state program to boost immunisation and reduce hospitalisations.
The Minns government announced on Wednesday that young people aged two to 17 were now eligible for the nasal spray.
Noah, six, had the nasal spray at Piggott's Pharmacy at Merewether on Wednesday.
His mother, Alissa Liddy, of Kotara, said "we usually get the needle, but I thought the nasal spray would be less stressful".
"I have a four-year-old as well and they're both at the age where they know a needle will hurt," she said.
Only 24 per cent of children aged six months to five had a flu vaccine in NSW last year. The number of older children and adolescents to receive the vaccine was about 13 per cent.
Everyone is recommended to have an influenza vaccine each year, given the deadly nature of the disease.
In the UK, the nasal spray vaccine has been administered to millions of children since 2013.
NSW Health said the nasal spray was estimated to be 50 per cent to 65 per cent effective.
It stated that the spray "prevents up to 50 per cent of influenza hospitalisations in young children".
"These estimates vary from year to year, depending on the match between the vaccine influenza strains and the strains circulating in the community," it said.
It also said a systematic review of clinical trials found the nasal spray to be as effective as the standard flu shot.
The Minns government said the nasal spray was available "for a limited time at GPs, Aboriginal medical services and community pharmacies until all stocks are exhausted".
"Influenza and other respiratory illnesses can have a massive impact on emergency departments during winter," NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said.
Pharmacist Anthony Piggott said the nasal spray was initially free for the first 8000 young people in NSW aged two to four.
"Now it's open to the first 11,000 aged two to 17," Mr Piggott said.
"They want to make sure it's used as soon as possible. So we recommend everyone come in sooner rather than later, otherwise they'll be paying $55 to $60."
Newcastle virologist Nathan Bartlett said "it's a good initiative that will encourage increased uptake of influenza vaccines".
Professor Bartlett, of Hunter Medical Research Institute, said this was particularly the case for "families who might be a bit on the fence with the thought of children having to go through the needle process".
"Maybe now with the option of a nasal spray, they'll say it's no big deal, we'll go and get it," he said.
"I'm glad the government saw sense because two-to four-year-olds was a very narrow window for free eligibility."
He said "the flu is deadly".
"It kills thousands of people every cold and flu season and tenfold ends up in hospital and puts pressure on health services," he said.
Mr Piggott said the RSV vaccine was now available for free for people aged 75 and over, Aboriginal people from age 60 and pregnant women from 28 weeks' gestation.
