Thursday, 21 May 2026, 2:32 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Government
Hon David
Seymour
Associate Minister of Health
21
May 2026
Pharmac proposal to strengthen New
Zealand’s vaccine response
Associate Health
Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac’s proposal to
strengthen New Zealand’s vaccine response, including by
funding the flu vaccine for children aged 6 months up to 5
years old.
“Vaccines are important to Kiwis and can
provide good value if they stop people getting sick in the
future,” Mr Seymour says.
If approved, Pharmac
will:
widen access to the flu vaccine for all
children from 6 months up to 5 years (6-59 months
inclusive)secure the ongoing supply for 17 vaccines
and 1 diagnostic testchange brands of the
meningococcal ACWY, pneumococcal, and influenza
vaccines
“If approved, around 260,000
additional children would be eligible for a funded flu
vaccine in the 2027 flu season. In total, we expect over 1.5
million people would receive the vaccines included in this
proposal in the first year of funding,” Mr Seymour
says.
“Pharmac are also considering changing some
vaccine brands to increase protection for certain age
groups. For example, Pharmac would fund two new innovative
flu vaccines that provide increased protection for people
aged 65 years and over, or at-risk people under 65. The
proposed brand change for the pneumococcal vaccine also
means there would be greater coverage for some
people.
“In drafting this proposal Pharmac sought
expert clinical advice from Pharmac’s Immunisation
Advisory Committee on the proposed changes.
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“It’s
important to the patient community that their voice is
heard. That’s why Pharmac consult the community on funding
proposals before a final decision is made.
“Pharmac
is asking the public, clinicians, consumer advocacy groups,
and others for feedback on the funding proposal from
Thursday 21 May. Pharmac’s consultation will help ensure
these decisions are informed by clinical advice and feedback
from the public and health professionals.
“This is
another example of the culture we are building at Pharmac.
Pharmac funding the medicines that Kiwis need, based on the
feedback of Kiwis in need.”
Have your say here: Proposal
for new supply agreements for funded vaccines in the
National Immunisation Schedule, and widened access to
influenza vaccine
Notes:
If approved,
these changes would happen from 1 April 2027 for influenza
vaccines and 1 July 2027 for meningococcal, pneumococcal
vaccines and all other vaccines. Pharmac already have a
contract in place for flu vaccines that covers the 2026 flu
season.
More details on the proposal can be found
here: Proposal
for new supply agreements for funded vaccines in the
National Immunisation Schedule, and widened access to
influenza
vaccine
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