Story one of ten today, about five minutes for the lot

Young child in yellow-green shirt holding tissue to nose, lying in bed

Illawarra flu cases triple but free child vaccine runs dry

Flu cases in the Illawarra Shoalhaven district tripled from 469 in July to 1,437 in August. NSW has run out of free nasal spray vaccines for children aged two to 17.

Why it mattersFamilies in the Illawarra lack a key protection tool during peak flu season. Similar shortages could spread to other NSW regions.

AustraliaNSW children aged two to 17 are no longer eligible for the free nasal spray vaccine; the region has been hit harder than most, with cases already almost 30 percent above 2025's record-breaking year.

✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 5 d ago

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Laboratory worker in RMIT coat holds labeled rainwater sample bottle

✓ ThenightlyScience & Systems

PFAS 'forever chemicals' found in Australian rainwater for first time

RMIT researchers detected eight PFAS compounds in Melbourne rainwater samples at levels well below health guidelines.

Why it mattersUnderstanding how PFAS spreads through air and rain helps regulators decide which uses to restrict. It also helps communities protect their water sources.