19864 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

19864 (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 actioning the recommendation ‘To avoid children becoming unenrolled after 3 months, an “opt out” system should be explored as the default’ under ‘Priority Area 4: Enrolment into health services from birth’ within the ‘Initial Priorities for the National Immunisation Programme in Aotearoa 2022’?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that Whaihua (implemented mid-December 2023) enables tracking of newborn nomination and enrolment status. There is a direct feed from BadgerNet into Whaihua. Further, Health New Zealand has commenced investigating the option to extend the pre-enrolment period for all newborn babies.