46134 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

46134 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: Further to WPQ 5644, what progress, if any, has been made in the quarter (January to March 2024) on health promotion work programmes concerning 'Immunisation'?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that during the January to March 2024 quarter, Health New Zealand undertook the following promotion work on immunisation: Direct marketing for shingles vaccines: Nationwide email communications sent to 65-year-olds about being immunised against shingles. The target audience included eligible people contactable via email who had recently turned 65 (to raise awareness) or were soon to turn 66 (as a reminder). This communication is a regular quarterly email that reaches people as they ‘age-in’ and encourages them to book and receive their two freed doses of the vaccine, Shingrix. Pacific MMR social media campaign for 18–34-year-olds: Campaign activities continued over the quarter, to increase MMR vaccinations among Pacific people aged 18-34 in the Auckland Region. Childhood immunisations social marketing campaign: Social marketing campaigns focused on childhood immunisations began. The campaigns included audio visual advertising across a range of platforms, directing viewers to Immunise.health.nz for more information or to speak to their healthcare provider. Māori Community Action: Activity was scoped with Hauora Māori and community partners to engage hard-to-reach populations in under-immunised areas to increase immunisations for COVID-19, childhood, and flu, based around the principle of ‘trusted places and faces’. Pacific Community Action: A joined-up approach began to engaging the Pacific community around COVID-19, flu, and childhood immunisations, with the help of Pacific health providers. The approach focused on hard-to-reach under-immunised communities in Auckland and Northland. Meningococcal communications: A media statement was issued, promoting Meningococcal vaccines for rangatahi aged 13-25 before the free catch-up period ended on 28 February. The wider health sector also received a reminder about the catch-up period end date and a prompt to utilise the free resources available to support conversations. Health NZ also engaged with relevant stakeholders, including universities, boarding schools, police and youth justice facilities to ensure they were aware of the catch-up period end date. Flu sector communications: Flu campaign materials (posters, brochures) were proactively sent to community pharmacies, GP clinics, and midwives to provide an example of the free resources available for Flu 2024, and to support promotion of immunisation. Flu collateral orders increased 75% from the Flu 2023 season, which increased promotion of the flu vaccine for priority audiences. ‘Piwari’ for Māori mama: Health promotion resources were distributed to encourage uptake of childhood immunisations among Māori mama – including the children’s book ‘Piwari’, and the maramataka calendar.