Flu vaccine funded for children under five for 2027 flu season

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.