39391 (2024). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister of Health

39391 (2024). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made since launching the $50 million package to help Māori health providers increase immunisation rates for Māori since 21 December 2023?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that health agencies and Māori health providers have made good progress toward increasing immunisation rates for Māori since December 2023. This progress includes: • Funding for the first year of implementation ($25 million) has been committed via contracts with 58 individual providers as well as the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency to provide national spread. Funding for the second year is subject to Year 1 results. • Funded providers have been working since March to provide additional seasonal and childhood immunisations for whānau. Health NZ has also facilitated access to the Aotearoa Immunisation Register to enable providers to input data. • Funded providers have also supported whānau to access urgent medical treatment and referrals to care where required. Funded providers will report on activities and progress as part of their quarterly and bi-annual reports. • Clinical training has been delivered to wānanga to increase the number of trained vaccinators among existing healthcare workers. A key focus is on training existing kaimahi of hauora Māori service providers, who are then able to immediately help deliver additional childhood and seasonal vaccinations in their communities. As of 19 June, 98 vaccinators had participated in this training across Te Tai Tokerau, Tāmaki Makaurau, and Te Ikaroa, with a further three wānanga planned to be delivered by 30 September in Te Manawa Taki.