The Government is expanding taxpayer-funded flu jabs to all children aged from six months to under five from April 2027, a move Associate Health Minister David Seymour claims will help reduce winter illness and pressure on the health system.
Pharmac’s decision will make more than 260,000 additional children eligible for funded flu jabs and forms part of a wider vaccination package expected to cover about 1.6 million New Zealanders in its first year.
Flu jabs are currently funded for people aged 65 and over and younger people with specified health conditions. The 2027 changes will significantly broaden eligibility while introducing newer influenza products for older people, at-risk people under 65 and young children.
Pharmac will also change the funded brands used for meningococcal ACWY and pneumococcal vaccination. Seymour described the expansion as a “practical investment in prevention” and said consultation showed strong public support.
Image credit: Alison Saeng
