Decision on new supply agreements for funded vaccines in the National Immunisation Schedule, and widened access to influenza vaccine

Medicines Decision

What we’re doing

We're pleased to announce we have entered into new supply agreements for a number of funded vaccines following a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the supply of 17 vaccines and one diagnostic test.

The influenza vaccines will be the preferred funded brands for the 2027 and 2028 influenza seasons from 1 April 2027 to 31 December 2028, with optional extensions for the 2029 and 2030 influenza seasons. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine will be the preferred funded brand from 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2029 with a one year right of renewal to 30 June 2030. All other vaccines and the diagnostic test will be the preferred funded brand from 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2030. Principal Supply Status (PSS) will be awarded with a 5% alternative brand allowance (ABA) in the community and Health New Zealand hospitals.

Why we’re doing this

Pharmac released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the supply of various vaccines and influenza vaccine on 5 August 2025.

We sought expert clinical advice from Pharmac’s Immunisation Advisory Committee in April 2025, June 2025, and November 2025 on the proposed brand changes and widened access options.

April 2025 Record of the Committee meeting [PDF, 314 KB]

June 2025 Record of the Committee meeting [PDF, 352 KB]

November 2025 Record of the Committee meeting [PDF, 103 KB]

Pharmac has a number of open funding applications for various vaccines currently ranked on its Options for Investment list, which have been recommended for funding.

The August 2025 RFP has allowed us to progress funding for a number of these items.

Pharmac has entered into agreements with GSK New Zealand Limited, Merck Sharp and Dohme New Zealand Limited, Pfizer New Zealand Limited, Sanofi-Aventis Australia Pty Ltd and Seqirus New Zealand Limited for the supply of various vaccines.

Vaccines not included in this decision

Meningococcal B vaccine (Bexsero), varicella zoster vaccine (Shingrix) and Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine (BCG Vaccine AJV) are already funded and listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule. Existing agreements for these vaccines will remain in place, and there will be no change to their listing.

Any changes to the original proposal?

This decision was subject to a consultation letter dated 21 May 2026.

There were no changes to the original proposal following consultation.

Who we think will be most interested

  • Healthcare professionals working in primary care and outreach vaccination settings
  • Paediatricians
  • Infectious disease and respiratory specialists
  • Health New Zealand
  • Suppliers and wholesalers
  • Organisations with an interest in immunisation, including Ministry of Health, Public Health Agency, Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC), The Meningitis Foundation, Grey Power, Age Concern 

Detail about this decision

In total, 17 vaccines and 1 diagnostic test will be funded.

This will result in the continued supply of 13 funded brands of vaccines and 1 diagnostic test, and a change to the funded brand for meningococcal ACWY, pneumococcal and influenza vaccines in the National Immunisation Schedule.

Fluad and Flucelvax influenza vaccines supplied by Seqirus will be funded in New Zealand for the first time from 1 April 2027. Both of these vaccines are ranked on Pharmac’s Options for Investment (OFI) list.

The influenza vaccine eligibility criteria will also be widened to include all children aged from 6 months up to their fifth birthday (6-59 months inclusive). Around 260,000 children will be eligible to receive this vaccine. This is also ranked on our OFI list.

The Prevenar 20 brand of Pneumococcal vaccine supplied by Pfizer will also be funded for the first time from 1 July 2027.

Pharmac has received funding applications for pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13(external link)) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23(external link)) for secondary prophylaxis in individuals who have previously had invasive pneumococcal disease. Following clinical advice defining the eligibility criteria, the Prevenar 20 brand of pneumococcal vaccine will be funded for this group as part of this decision.

In total, we expect over 1.6 million people to receive the vaccines included in this decision in the first year of funding.

Key elements of the decision are summarised below:

Funded vaccines with no changes

The following vaccines and diagnostic test will continue to be supplied by the same supplier, with the same brand and eligibility criteria, from 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2030:

Table 1: funded vaccines and diagnostic test with no changes

Vaccine

Brand (Supplier)

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine

Boostrix (GSK)

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio vaccine

Infanrix IPV (GSK)

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine

Infanrix-Hexa (GSK)

Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine

Act-HIB (Sanofi)

Hepatitis A vaccine

Havrix 1440 (GSK)

Hepatitis A vaccine

Havrix Junior (GSK)

Hepatitis B recombinant vaccine

Engerix-B (GSK)

Hepatitis B recombinant vaccine

Engerix-B Paediatric (GSK)

Human papillomavirus (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58) vaccine [HPV]

Gardasil 9 (MSD)

Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine

Priorix (GSK)

Poliomyelitis vaccine

IPOL (Sanofi)

Rotavirus oral vaccine

Rotarix (GSK)

Varicella vaccine (Chickenpox vaccine)

Varilrix (GSK)

Tuberculin PPD [Mantoux] test

Tubersol (Sanofi)

Changes to brands of funded vaccines

The following vaccines will continue to be funded, but will be supplied by different suppliers with different brands or presentations:

Table 2: funded vaccines with brand changes

Vaccine

Current funded brand (supplier)

New funded brand (supplier)

Meningococcal (groups A, C, Y and W-135) conjugate vaccine

 

MenQuadfi (Sanofi) –  over 12 months

Nimenrix (Pfizer) – under 12 months

Nimenrix (Pfizer) – all ages

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

Prevenar 13 (Pfizer)

Prevenar 20 (Pfizer)*

Influenza vaccine

Influvac Tetra (Viatris)

Flucelvax and Fluad (Seqirus)

 *subject to Medsafe approval, see below for more details

Influenza vaccine brand changes

This decision will result in brand changes to the influenza vaccine for people aged 65 years and over to Fluad (adjuvanted influenza vaccine) and for people under 65 years to Flucelvax (cell-based influenza vaccine). Both vaccines are ranked on Pharmac’s Options for Investment list.

Widened access

As part of this RFP process, Pharmac requested proposals for widened access for a range of vaccines on the Options for Investment list.

This decision includes widened access to the Flucelvax brand of influenza vaccine for all children from 6 months up to their fifth birthday (6-59 months inclusive).

We are also widening access to a vaccine to help prevent people who have already had a serious pneumococcal infection from getting it again. We estimate about 700 people will be eligible for this treatment in the first year. 

The other proposals for widened access were not progressed through this RFP. We recognise the significant impact that influenza, meningitis and shingles can have on people and their whānau, and that there remains unmet health need for wider access to these vaccines. We weren’t able to widen access further to influenza, meningococcal or shingles vaccines at this time due to the significant cost and the need to prioritise wider access against other medicines and vaccines we are considering for funding. Widened access to these vaccines remains on our Options for Investments List. This is a list of medicines and vaccines we would like to consider for funding if we have the available budget. 

Implementation

Health NZ's Immunisation Handbook(external link) will be updated to reflect these changes and will continue to provide information to vaccinators on the recommended timing of dosing for particular vaccines and catch-up programmes.

There are no changes to ordering or distribution mechanisms for these vaccines.

The current funding criteria applicable to all vaccines can be found in Section I (National Immunisation Schedule)(external link) and Part II of Section H(external link) of the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

For the vaccines outlined in Table 1 above there will be no changes to the funded brand or supplier. Details about vaccines with changes and other aspects of the decision can be found below.

Supply and price arrangements

Principal Supply Status (PSS) will be applied to all vaccines in this decision. PSS means that the principal supplier’s brand will be the main brand funded in the community and/or used by hospitals, with an alternative brand allowance of 5%. 

Confidential net prices will apply to all vaccines where agreements have been reached. 

Distribution arrangements

Vaccines are distributed differently to most other pharmaceuticals. The method for ordering vaccines by vaccinators will remain the same as a result of this decision.

The distribution of the influenza vaccine will remain the same. Influenza vaccine is listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule and distributed in a similar way to other pharmaceuticals. 

Funded vaccines with no changes

From 1 July 2027, the following vaccines will continue to be listed in Section I (National Immunisation Schedule) and Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule as outlined below. 

Chemical

Formulation

Brand

Pack size

Price*

Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine

Inj 2 IU diphtheria toxoid with 20 IU tetanus toxoid, 8 mcg pertussis toxoid, 8 mcg pertussis filamentous haemagglutinin and 2.5 mcg pertactin in 0.5 ml prefilled syringe

Boostrix (GSK)

10

$0.00

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio vaccine

Inj 30 IU diphtheria toxoid with 40 IU tetanus toxoid, 25 mcg pertussis toxoid, 25 mcg pertussis filamentous haemagglutinin, 8 mcg pertactin and 80 D-antigen units poliomyelitis virus in 0.5ml syringe

Infanrix IPV (GSK)

10

$0.00

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B and haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine

Inj 30IU diphtheria with 40IU tetanus and 25mcg pertussis toxoids, 25mcg pertussis filamentous haemagglutinin, 8mcg pertactin, 80D-AgU polio virus, 10mcg hepatitis B antigen, 10mcg H. influenzae type b with tetanus toxoid 20-40mcg in 0.5ml syringe

Infanrix-hexa (GSK)

10

$0.00

Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine

Inj 10 mcg vial with diluent syringe

Act-HIB (Sanofi)

1

$0.00

Hepatitis A vaccine

Inj 1440 ELISA units in 1 ml syringe

Havrix 1440 (GSK)

1

$0.00

Hepatitis A vaccine

Inj 720 ELISA units in 0.5 ml syringe

Havrix Junior (GSK)

1

$0.00

Hepatitis B recombinant vaccine

Inj 10 mcg per 0.5 ml prefilled syringe

Engerix-B (GSK)

1

$0.00

Hepatitis B recombinant vaccine

Inj 20 mcg per 1 ml prefilled syringe

Engerix-B (GSK)

1

$0.00

Human papillomavirus (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58) vaccine [HPV]

Inj 270 mcg in 0.5 ml syringe

Gardasil 9 (MSD)

10

$0.00

Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine

Inj, measles virus 1,000 CCID50, mumps virus 5,012 CCID50, Rubella virus 1,000 CCID50; prefilled syringe/ampoule of diluent 0.5 ml

Priorix (GSK)

10

$0.00

Poliomyelitis vaccine

Inj 80D antigen units in 0.5 ml syringe

IPOL (Sanofi)

1

$0.00

Rotavirus oral vaccine

Oral susp live attenuated human rotavirus 1,000,000 CCID50 per dose, squeezable tube

Rotarix (GSK)

10

$0.00

Varicella vaccine [Chickenpox vaccine]

Inj 2000 PFU prefilled syringe plus vial

Varilrix (GSK)

10

$0.00

Tuberculin PPD [Mantoux] test

Inj 5 TU per 0.1 ml, 1 ml vial

Tubersol (Sanofi)

1

$0.00

*Vaccine and test kit prices are listed with zero cost in the Pharmaceutical Schedule, as they are distributed free of charge to vaccinators.

Meningococcal (groups A, C, Y and W-135) conjugate vaccine

From 1 July 2027, Nimenrix (supplied by Pfizer) will be listed in Section I (National Immunisation Schedule) and Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule as outlined below: 

Chemical

Presentation

Brand

Pack Size

Subsidy

Meningococcal (groups A, C, Y and W-135) conjugate vaccine 

Inj 5 mcg of each meningococcal polysaccharide conjugated to a total of approximately 44 mcg of tetanus toxoid carrier per 0.5 ml vial

Nimenrix

1

$0.00

Meningococcal (groups A, C, Y and W-135) conjugate vaccine 

Inj 5 mcg of each meningococcal polysaccharide conjugated to a total of approximately 44 mcg of tetanus toxoid carrier per 0.5 ml vial

Nimenrix

10

$0.00

The Xpharm rule applied to the Nimenrix 1 pack in Section I (National Immunisation Schedule) of the Pharmaceutical Schedule will be removed from 1 July 2027.

The eligibility criteria in Section I (National Immunisation Schedule) of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 July 2027 will be as outlined below. Similar eligibility criteria will apply in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

A. Any of the following:

  1. Up to three doses (dependant on age at first dose) and a booster every five years for patients pre- and post-splenectomy and for patients with functional or anatomic asplenia, HIV, complement deficiency (acquired or inherited), or pre or post solid organ transplant; or
  2. A maximum of three doses (dependant on age at first dose) for close contacts of meningococcal cases of any group; or
  3. A maximum of three doses (dependant on age at first dose) for person who has previously had meningococcal disease of any group; or
  4. A maximum of three doses (dependant on age at first dose) for bone marrow transplant patients; or
  5. A maximum of three doses (dependant on age at first dose) for person pre- and post-immunosuppression*; or

B. Both:

  1. Person is aged between 13 and 25 years, inclusive; and
  2. Either:
    1. One dose for individuals who are entering within the next three months, or in their first year of living in boarding school hostels, tertiary education halls of residence, military barracks, Youth Justice residences, or prisons; or
    2. One dose for individuals who turn 13 years of age while living in boarding school hostels.

C. Contractors will be entitled to claim payment from the Funder for the supply of Meningococcal A, C, Y and W-135 vaccine to patients eligible under the above criteria pursuant to their contract with Health New Zealand (Health NZ) for subsidised immunisation, and they may only do so in respect of the Meningococcal A, C, Y and W-135 vaccine listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

D. Contractors may only claim for patient populations within the criteria that are covered by their contract, which may be a sub-set of the population described in paragraphs A-B above.

Note. *Immunosuppression due to steroid or other immunosuppressive therapy must be for a period of greater than 28 days.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine

From 1 July 2027, PCV20 (supplied by Pfizer) will be listed in Section I (National Immunisation Schedule) and Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule as outlined below:

Chemical

Presentation

Brand

Pack Size

Subsidy

Pneumococcal  (PCV20) conjugate vaccine

Inj 46.2 mcg of pneumococcal polysaccharide serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 8, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F, and 33F in 0.5 ml prefilled syringe

Prevenar 20

1

$0.00

Pneumococcal (PCV20) conjugate vaccine

Inj 46.2 mcg of pneumococcal polysaccharide serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 8, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F, and 33F in 0.5 ml prefilled syringe

Prevenar 20

10

$0.00

The eligibility criteria in Section I (National Immunisation Schedule) from 1 July 2027 will be as outlined below. Similar eligibility criteria will apply in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

Any of the following:

  1. A course of up to three doses for previously unvaccinated children from 6 weeks up to the age of 59 months inclusive who are either previously unvaccinated with PCV13 or have not yet completed a primary vaccination course; or
  2. Up to four doses (3+1 schedule) for [re]immunisation of high risk children aged from 6 weeks up to the age of 59 months inclusive; or
  3. A single dose for high risk individuals over the age of 12 months and under 18 years who have not yet started or completed a primary pneumococcal vaccination course; or
  4. Both:
    1. A booster dose every five years for the (re-)immunisation of high-risk individuals aged between 5 and under 18 years; and
    2. Either:
      1. Person has not received a pneumococcal vaccination within the past five years; or
      2.  Person has had a haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and requires revaccination within five years of previous pneumococcal vaccination; and
  5. Person has any of the following:
    1. Pre term infants, born before 28 weeks gestation; or
    2. Previously documented episode of invasive pneumococcal disease; or
    3. Immunodeficiency or immunosuppression including any of the following:
      1. Primary immunodeficiency; or 
      2. Down syndrome; or
      3. Complement deficiency (acquired or inherited); or
      4. Haematological malignancies; or
      5. Pre- or post haematopoietic stem cell transplantation; or
      6. Pre-, during, or post- chemotherapy or radiation therapy; or
      7. Pre- or post- splenectomy; or
      8. Asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen including individuals with coeliac disease who are diagnosed with splenic dysfunction and all haemoglobinopathies including homozygous sickle cell disease; or
      9. Pre- or post- solid organ transplant; or
      10. Pre-, during, or post- immunosuppressive therapy, including receiving corticosteroid therapy for more than two weeks, and who are on an equivalent daily dosage of prednisone of 2 mg/kg per day or greater, or children who weigh more than 10 kg on a total daily dosage of 20 mg or greater; or
      11. HIV; or
    4. Chronic pulmonary disease (including bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis); or
    5. Severe or poorly controlled asthma; or
    6. Congenital or acquired (eg rheumatic heart disease) cardiac disease, cyanosis or failure; or
    7. Chronic kidney disease stage 4 or 5, including renal dialysis; or
    8. Nephrotic syndrome; or
    9. Pre- or post- cochlear implants; or
    10. Intracranial shunts; or
    11. Cerebrospinal fluid leaks; or
    12. Diabetes; or
  6. A single dose and a booster dose every five years for high-risk individuals aged 18 years and over; and
    1. Person has any of the following:
      1. Previously documented episode of invasive pneumococcal disease; or
      2. Immunodeficiency or immunosuppression including any of the following:
        1. Primary immunodeficiency; or
        2. Down syndrome; or
        3. Complement deficiency (acquired or inherited); or
        4. Haematological malignancies; or
        5. Pre- or post- haematopoietic stem cell transplant; or
        6. Pre-, current, or post- chemotherapy or radiation therapy; or
        7. Pre- or post- splenectomy; or
        8. Asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen including individuals with coeliac disease who are diagnosed with splenic dysfunction and all haemoglobinopathies including homozygous sickle cell disease; or
        9. Pre- or post- solid organ transplant; or
        10. Pre-, current, or post- immunosuppressive therapy, including receiving corticosteroid therapy for more than two weeks, and who are on an equivalent daily dosage of prednisone of 2 mg/kg per day or greater; or
        11. HIV; or
      3. Chronic pulmonary disease (including bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis); or
      4. Severe or poorly controlled asthma; or
      5. Congenital or acquired (eg rheumatic heart disease or ischaemic heart disease) cardiac disease, with cyanosis or failure; or
      6. Chronic kidney disease stage 4 or 5, including renal dialysis; or
      7. Nephrotic syndrome; or
      8. Pre- or post- cochlear implants; or
      9. Intracranial shunts; or
      10. Cerebrospinal fluid leaks; and
    2. Either:
      1. Person has not been vaccinated with both PCV13 AND PPV23 within the past five years; or
      2. Person has had a haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and requires revaccination within five years of previous pneumococcal vaccination.

The provisional agreement with Pfizer for PCV20 is conditional on Medsafe approval. An application from Pfizer is currently being assessed by Medsafe. 

Influenza vaccine

From 1 February 2027, Fluad and Flucelvax (supplied by Seqirus) will be listed in Section I (National Immunisation Schedule) and Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule as outlined below: 

Chemical

Presentation

Brand

Pack Size

Subsidy

Influenza vaccine

Inj 45 mcg in 0.5 ml syringe (adjuvanted trivalent vaccine)

Fluad

10

$200.00

Influenza vaccine

Inj 45 mcg in 0.5 ml syringe (trivalent vaccine)

Flucelvax

10

$140.00

The current list price for influenza vaccine is $12.00 per dose. The list price for the Flucelvax brand of influenza vaccine will increase to $14.00 per dose and the list price for the Fluad brand of adjuvanted influenza vaccine will increase to $20.00 per dose from 1 February 2027. The list price increase may also result in a higher purchase price for people who are not eligible for funded influenza vaccine and purchase it privately.

The widened access for all children from 6 months up to their fifth birthday (6-59 months inclusive) will be applied to the Flucelvax eligibility criteria as Flucelvax is the vaccine used for people under 65 years.

The eligibility criteria in Section I (National Immunisation Schedule) of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 February 2027 will be as outlined below. Similar eligibility criteria will apply in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

Adjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccine (Fluad)

A)    INFLUENZA VACCINE is available each year for patients who meet the following criteria, as set by Pharmac:

a.    all people 65 years of age and over

B)    Contractors will be entitled to claim payment for the supply of influenza vaccine to patients eligible under the above criteria pursuant to their contract with Health NZ for subsidised immunisation, and they may only do so in respect of the influenza vaccine listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

C)    Contractors may only claim for patient populations within the criteria that are covered by their contract, which may be a sub-set of the population described in paragraph A above.

Trivalent influenza vaccine (Flucelvax)

A)    INFLUENZA VACCINE is available each year for patients who meet the following criteria, as set by Pharmac:

a.    all children aged 0 months to 59 months inclusive, or

b.    people under 65 years of age who:

i.    have any of the following cardiovascular diseases:

a.    ischaemic heart disease, or

b.    congestive heart failure, or

c.    rheumatic heart disease, or

d.    congenital heart disease, or

e.    cerebro-vascular disease; or

ii.    have either of the following chronic respiratory diseases:

a.    asthma, if on a regular preventative therapy, or

b.    other chronic respiratory disease with impaired lung function; or

iii.    have diabetes; or

iv.    have chronic renal disease; or

v.    have any cancer, excluding basal and squamous skin cancers if not invasive; or

vi.    have any of the following other conditions:

a.    autoimmune disease, or

b.    immune suppression or immune deficiency, or

c.    HIV, or

d.    transplant recipients, or

e.    neuromuscular and CNS diseases/disorders, or

f.    haemoglobinopathies, or

g.    are children on long term aspirin, or

h.    have a cochlear implant, or

i.    errors of metabolism at risk of major metabolic decompensation, or

j.    pre and post splenectomy, or

k.    Down syndrome, or

vii.    are pregnant; or

viii.    have any of the following serious mental health conditions:

a.    schizophrenia, or

b.    major depressive disorder, or

c.    bipolar disorder, or

d.    schizoaffective disorder, or

ix.    are currently accessing secondary or tertiary mental health and addiction services; or

Unless meeting the criteria set out above, the following conditions are excluded from funding:

a. asthma not requiring regular preventative therapy,

b. hypertension and/or dyslipidaemia without evidence of end-organ disease.

B)    Contractors will be entitled to claim payment for the supply of influenza vaccine to patients eligible under the above criteria pursuant to their contract with Health NZ for subsidised immunisation, and they may only do so in respect of the influenza vaccine listed in the Pharmaceutical Schedule.

C)    Contractors may only claim for patient populations within the criteria that are covered by their contract, which may be a sub-set of the population described in paragraph A above.

Supply arrangements

As outlined in the RFP, Pharmac will underwrite 75% of the net cost of 100,000 doses of influenza vaccine per influenza season if not all vaccine has been distributed by the end of the influenza season. This underwriting will apply proportionately to the remaining stock of each vaccine brand at the end of the influenza season up to the maximum of 100,000 doses.

Our response to what you told us

We’re grateful for the time people took to respond to this consultation. A summary of the main themes raised in feedback and our responses are available below. 

Theme

Pharmac comment

Supportive of the proposal

Many responders supported the proposal because it would provide additional protection for vulnerable groups through expanded access to influenza vaccination for children aged 6 months to 59 months, the introduction of adjuvanted and cell-based influenza vaccines for younger children and older adults, and broader pneumococcal strain coverage through PCV20

We are grateful for the feedback outlining the benefits of the proposal including widened access for the influenza vaccine for those children aged 6 months to 59 months inclusive, the move to adjuvanted and cell-based influenza vaccines and the change to the PCV 20 vaccine.

Influenza vaccine brand changes and widened access

Some responses requested that Pharmac widen access further to influenza vaccines:

  • to include more children or no restrictions on funding
  • eligibility be broadened from 50 years of age.
  • eligibility be broadened for Māori and Pacific peoples from 55 years of age

At its May 2022(external link) meeting, the Immunisation Advisory Committee recommended widened access to influenza vaccines for a range of additional population groups. Through the RFP we asked for proposals that would enable us to consider widened access to these groups. Unfortunately, we did not receive any proposals that would enable us to fund any of these additional groups within the funding currently available.

The applications for widened access for children up to 18yrs and open access are both ranked on the Pharmac Options for Investment (OFI) list.

No application to fund the influenza vaccine for people from 50yrs of age has been received.

No application for funding the influenza vaccine for Māori and Pacific peoples from 55 years of age has been received. Additionally, Pharmac access criteria policy requires evidence-based criteria defined by clinical need.

Request for the nasal influenza vaccine for children age 6-59 months

Currently there is no Medsafe approved nasal influenza vaccine (Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV)) available in New Zealand.

Pharmac has not received a funding application for a LAIV vaccine. We would welcome a funding application for LAIV when there is a Medsafe-approved vaccine available. See more information on how to make a medicine funding application.

An occupational health provider commented they would like the flexibility to carry both influenza vaccines

Occupational health is not covered by Pharmac influenza vaccine eligibility and is out of scope of the Pharmaceutical Schedule Rules. The individual occupational health providers would need to assess which vaccines they offer as part of their programme.

Some respondents, including Health NZ, raised concerns over the increased list price of the influenza vaccine which means a higher up-front cost of the vaccine to providers. 

Health NZ also commented some providers found the minimum order quantity for influenza vaccines prohibitive.

The current list price for the influenza vaccine is $12.00 per dose. The new list price for the Flucelvax brand of influenza vaccine is $14.00 per dose and the list price for the Fluad brand of adjuvanted influenza vaccine will be $20.00 per dose from 1 February 2027.

While we recognise this is an increase in up-front costs to the vaccine providers, it is processed through the claims system and paid in full to the provider.

Minimum order quantities are set at the beginning of the influenza season to ensure vaccines are distributed quickly to providers. This reduces throughout the season to allow for smaller orders as demand reduces. Pharmac is working with Health NZ to provide a solution for smaller providers.

Many respondents, including the Pharmacy Guild NZ and ProCare, requested implementation support to communicate the widened access to those eligible. Health NZ also mentioned this in its feedback.

Health NZ leads the implementation of the vaccine programme in New Zealand and Pharmac will help to support this. We have shared this feedback with Health NZ.

Request for widened address to meningococcal vaccines

The Meningitis Foundation:

  •  requested that Pharmac widens access to meningococcal vaccines for adolescent and young adults
  •  requested that Pharmac investigate further access to meningococcal vaccines for community services card holders.

The Immunisation Advisory Committee has considered widened access to meningococcal ACWY vaccine at its September 2018(external link), March 2019(external link) and May 2026(external link) meetings. PTAC has considered widened access at its February 2019(external link) and May 2019(external link) meetings.

Through the RFP we asked for proposals that would enable us to consider widened access to these groups. Unfortunately, we did not receive any proposals that would enable us to fund any of these additional groups within the funding available.

The groups recommended for widened access by our expert clinical advisors are all ranked on the Options for Investment list(external link). This means that even though we are not proposing widened access now, we would like to fund them if we had available budget.

Pharmacy Guild NZ commented that the Xpharm rule would need to be removed from the Nimenrix brand

The decision includes that the Xpharm rule applied to the Nimenrix 1 pack in Section I (National Immunisation Schedule) will be removed from 1 July 2027.

Brand change for pneumococcal vaccine from PCV13 to PCV20

The National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) provided supportive feedback on the brand change to PCV20.

NITAG also called for a regular review of the serotypes in NZ and if the pneumococcal funding eligibility is servicing these groups sufficiently.

We are pleased to support widened access to serotype coverage through the PCV20 vaccine in line with the advice received from the Immunisation Advisory Committee at its meeting in November 2025(external link).

Pharmac will work the Immunisation Advisory Committee (IAC) and NITAG to review the epidemiology of pneumococcal serotypes in NZ as part of their regular meetings. The role of the IAC is to assess the serotype coverage and advise Pharmac on subsequent vaccine and eligibility adjustments as required.

Suggestion that a date be communicated for change from PCV13 to PCV20 rather than a longer transition time. This would be to allow people to access the broader serotype coverage earlier.

Health NZ suggested retrospective coverage be funded to further protect people who received the PCV13 vaccine.

Pharmac received advice from the Immunisation Advisory Committee at its November 2025(external link) meeting about the suitability of different pneumococcal vaccine brands. All vaccine brand changes awarded through the RFP have a 5-month transition timeline in order to manage stock levels and ensure minimal waste of vaccine. We will work with the supplier to transition to the new brand as early as possible within the transition period.

The Immunisation Advisory Committee at its November 2025(external link) meeting also considered there was no need to fund additional doses for those who had already completed a primary course of PCV13. Pharmac staff have discussed with Health NZ and should any new evidence emerge, it could be brought to a future Committee meeting for review.

ProCare suggested that the vaccine is funded for those with a diagnosed moderate to severe COPD

The current eligibility for the pneumococcal vaccine covers people with chronic pulmonary disease. Eligibility for this group will continue as part of this proposal.

Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) eligibility change

Suggestions to change the eligibility of the HPV vaccine to one dose for those under 15 years old

The funding eligibility for the HPV vaccine from 1 July 2027 continues to support a maximum of two doses for children aged 14 years and under.

Health NZ leads the implementation of how and when funded doses are administered through either the school-based programme or other vaccinators.

Vaccines not included in the proposal

Respondents requested RSV vaccines for both infants and older adults to be funded

RSV vaccines and monoclonal antibodies were not included in the various vaccines RFP. The funding applications are at various stages in the Pharmac funding application process. More detail on the advice received and status of each application is available on our application tracker(external link).

Respondents including RANZCO, Ophthalmology New Zealand, Grey Power and Age Concern – requested access to the shingles vaccine be widened to include all people over the age of 65

The shingles vaccine is currently funded for people aged 65 years old (exactly), and some immunocompromised people, full list of eligibility criteria can be found on Pharmac’s website  

Shingles vaccine funding criteria(external link)

There are several applications on Pharmac’s Options for Investment list to widen access to Shingrix. Through the RFP we asked for proposals that would enable us to consider widened access to zoster vaccine. We were not able to fund any of these additional groups within the funding available.

This means that even though we are not proposing widened access now, we would like to if we had available budget. More information about these funding applications can be found on the Pharmac website.

Applications to widen funding for shingles vaccine(external link)

Not supportive of the proposal

Some respondents commented on safety and efficacy concerns associated with vaccinations

We acknowledge there are concerns amongst some members of the public around vaccinations and that individual choice is important. All vaccines included in this proposal or otherwise funded by Pharmac have received full approval from Medsafe (NZ’s medicines regulator) except for the PCV20 vaccine which is undergoing review. The PCV20 vaccine will not be funded unless it is approved by Medsafe.

Medsafe application details for Prevenar(external link)

A respondent commented that the money spent on vaccines would be better spent on other medicines

Pharmac works collaboratively with the Ministry of Health, Public Health Agency, Health New Zealand National Public Health Service and its own Immunisation Advisory Committee to assess the vaccination requirements for New Zealand. New vaccines are assessed using the Factors for Consideration and then ranked against other options on the Pharmac Options For Investment (OFI) list and funded through the same process as medicines.

If you have any questions about this decision, you can email us at enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz; or call our toll free number (9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday) on 0800 660 050.