19121 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

Written Question

Published date: 11 Jun 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	19121 (2026)
Question asked:	12 May 2026
Member asking:	Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall
Portfolio:	Minister of Health
Minister replying:	Hon Simeon Brown
Answer received:	06 Jun 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_19121_2026
Document guid:	092228db-a9c6-4a1f-b772-93e7f01d6741

19121 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What process, if any, has been or would be used by Health NZ, Pharmac or the Ministry of Health to change the recommended number of HPV vaccine doses for 15 year olds and older?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that under the Medicines Act 1981, any change to the approved indications for a medicine, including the number of doses of a vaccine, requires a manufacturer to apply for approval from Medsafe. Under the Medical Products Bill, the Government intends to better enable flexibility in community vaccination, where this aligns with safe practice.