WELLINGTON, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- More than 260,000 young children in New Zealand will become eligible for funded influenza vaccines from the 2027 flu season under changes announced by the country's pharmaceutical funding agency Pharmac.
From April 1, 2027, all children aged six months up to five will be eligible for a funded flu vaccine, Associate Health Minister David Seymour said in a statement on Wednesday.
The change is part of a broader package of vaccine investments confirmed by Pharmac, with around 1.6 million New Zealanders expected to receive the vaccines included in the decision in the first year of funding.
"Flu season puts a lot of pressure on households, workplaces, schools and the health system," Seymour said, noting that the expanded access would help reduce illness, doctor visits and pressure on the health system during winter.
The influenza vaccine is currently funded for people aged 65 and over and for people under 65 with certain health conditions that put them at higher risk of serious illness.
Pharmac is also changing the funded brands of influenza, meningococcal ACWY and pneumococcal vaccines from 2027, the statement said. ■