Source: PHARMAC
More New Zealanders will have access to funded flu vaccines in time for the 2027 flu season, with access widened to include young children.
Pharmac is changing brands of the funded influenza, meningococcal ACWY and pneumococcal vaccines; including widening access to the influenza vaccine to all children from 6 months up to their fifth birthday.
From April 2027 the funded brand of influenza vaccine will change to two new influenza vaccines that provide increased protection for those eligible. They will be funded for everyone aged 65 and over, at-risk people under 65, as well all children from 6 months up to their fifth birthday (6-59 months inclusive).
Pharmac’s Chief Advisor, Pharmaceuticals, Adrienne Martin, says the changes will improve protection against serious illness for hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders, including young children.
“More than 260,000 children will be eligible for a funded influenza vaccine in time for the 2027 flu season. This will help protect young children and their whānau against influenza and will reduce the impact of seasonal flu on our communities, and the wider health system,” she says.
The flu vaccine is currently funded for people aged 65 years and over, and for people under 65 with health conditions that put them at higher risk of serious illness.
The changes were as a result of a competitive procurement process Pharmac ran for funded vaccines. Pharmac consulted on the changes in May/June. Most feedback supported the proposed changes; particularly the introduction of more effective influenza vaccines and expanded access for young children.
“The two new influenza vaccines being funded for the first time, a cell-based vaccine and an adjuvanted vaccine, will provide increased protection compared with the currently funded egg-based influenza vaccines,” says Martin.
“We are also widening access to a pneumococcal vaccine to help prevent people who have already had a serious infection from getting it again,” says Martin. “This will give the 700 people who will be eligible for this vaccine each year much needed reassurance and protection.”
Ministry of Health, Deputy Director General for the Public Health Agency, Dr Andrew Old, says expanding access to vaccines helps protect more people from serious illness.
“Immunisation is one of the most effective ways to reduce severe illness, hospitalisation, and the spread of infectious diseases. Widening access to vaccines means more New Zealanders can benefit from that protection,” he says.
All vaccines used in New Zealand must be assessed by Medsafe and meet rigorous safety standards.
“The influenza vaccine changes will help strengthen our defences against flu next season,” says Old. “I would also encourage those who haven’t had a flu vaccine this season to consider getting vaccinated. Flu cases are on the rise and this year’s vaccine still offers the best available protection against current strains for people, their friends and families this winter.”
Alongside the three vaccines that are changing brands, Pharmac has negotiated agreements for the continued supply of 13 other vaccines and one diagnostic test.
The influenza vaccine changes come into effect from the start of the 2027 influenza season on 1 April 2027. Changes to meningococcal, pneumococcal and all other vaccines take effect from 1 July 2027.
“While these changes will take effect from the 2027 flu season, we are aware of the high levels of influenza currently and the impact being experienced across the health system and we are working with Health New Zealand and the Ministry of Health on opportunities to support vaccination uptake this year,” Martin says.
“In the meantime, we encourage anyone who is eligible and has not yet been vaccinated to consider getting their flu vaccine,” Martin says.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/26/flu-vaccine-funded-for-children-under-five-for-2027-flu-season/