13086 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

13086 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter October to December 2023 in achieving the individual measure ‘100% of hapū māmā be informed of antenatal immunisations in the third trimester’ within the ‘Initial Priorities for the National Immunisation Programme in Aotearoa 2022’?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that during the October - December 2023 quarter, several initiatives were progressed. These included: • Development of new immunisation online content for health professionals and consumers, which is available at https://info.health.nz/immunisations/ • Continuing to provide hapū māmā with information about antenatal immunisations through various channels, including conversations with health care providers; immunisation campaigns; social marketing, and community networks. Work also continued to identify touchpoints where hapū māmā can have supportive conversations about immunisation. • Continuing to support pharmacies to offer immunisations or to widen existing services, with a particular focus on antenatal pertussis vaccination. • Planning the co-administration payment initiative which is paid to providers when pertussis and influenza vaccinations are co-delivered to pregnant women during the influenza season. This aims to promote awareness of pregnancy vaccination among providers and the public. • Progressing work with Lead Maternity Carers to connect pregnant women to either their general practice or vaccinating pharmacist to improve maternal pertussis vaccination rates.