72881 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

72881 (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 overarching measure ‘The protection of all hapū māmā from immunisation-preventable disease’ 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, work continued on the following initiatives: • Supporting pharmacies to offer immunisations or to widen existing services, with a particular focus on antenatal vaccination (flu, pertussis, COVID-19). • Preparations for the co-administration payment initiative, which is paid to providers when pertussis and influenza vaccinations are co-delivered to pregnant women between April to December 2024. This aims to promote awareness of pregnancy vaccination among providers and the public. • Preparing for the influenza season and developing new posters for pregnancy, including translated versions, for the sector to use.