72877 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

72877 (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 achieving the individual measure ‘95% of tamariki Māori are fully immunised at 6-months’ 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, implementation of the Immunisation Taskforce recommendations continued. This work will help Health New Zealand reach its target of having 95% immunisation coverage in tamariki Māori. I am further advised that planning occurred during the quarter to enable pharmacists to upskill as whole of life vaccinators to expand access to immunisation. This is a broad initaitive and includes access to MMR for Māori and Pacific children. I am also advised that during the quarter, distribution of the $50 million funding for the Immunising our Tamariki programme was underway. This funding has been used to commission, resource, and support initiatives, with a focus on immunisation.