53916 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

53916 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter January to March 2024 in actioning the recommendation ‘Strengthening primary care accountability regarding Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations to Māori, and equity obligations, by proactively facilitating mana-enhancing early engagement with families to achieve timely 6-week vaccinations and ongoing access for health checks’ 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 during the January to March 2024 quarter, the pre-call/recall initiative in general practice was under development. The service includes Primary Health Organisations (PHO) funding for six-week immunisations and for focusing on improving outcomes for Māori. Additional funding has been targeted at achieving six-week immunisation of Māori children and to help Māori PHOs drive immunisation coordination functions. I am further advised that as part of the PHO annual uplift process, the PHO agreement has been amended to explicitly state that there is no requirement to sight a birth certificate to enroll an infant, and to extend provisional enrolment for up to 12 months.