Plunket welcomes free flu vaccines for under-fives

26 August 2026

Whānau Āwhina Plunket is welcoming Pharmac's decision to fund free influenza vaccination for all tamariki aged six months until their fifth birthday from 1 April 2027, and to introduce the broader-protection PCV20 vaccine to New Zealand’s National Immunisation Schedule. 

Plunket says the decision is a significant step forward in helping protect young children from serious respiratory illness and reducing barriers for whānau to access preventive healthcare. 

Plunket Immunisation Services Manager Bernadette Heaphy says the announcement will make it easier for more families to protect their children before they become seriously unwell. 

“This is very welcome news for tamariki and whānau. Influenza is often underestimated, but it is not just a bad cold. For young children, older adults and other vulnerable people it can lead to serious illness, complications and hospitalisation.” 

Recent child health data shows that rates of influenza-related hospitalisation are highest among the youngest children. During 2022 to 2024, infants aged one year and younger were more than six times as likely, children aged two to four years were more than four times as likely, and children aged five to nine years were more than twice as likely as older children and adolescents aged 10 to 19 years to be hospitalised for influenza.  

The Cure Kids 2026 State of Child Health report also highlights that Aotearoa New Zealand is experiencing record rates of hospitalisations of children with respiratory conditions, with one in five hospitalisations of children and adolescents related to acute respiratory conditions.  

Ms Heaphy says removing the cost barrier to influenza vaccination for children under five is an important public health measure.

“Making the flu vaccine free means more whānau can access protection for their young children. That matters because prevention is always better than children becoming seriously unwell and needing urgent or hospital-level care.” 

Plunket also welcomes the introduction of PCV20, which will replace PCV13 on the National Immunisation Schedule and provide broader protection against pneumococcal disease. 

“PCV20 protects against additional strains of pneumococcal disease, helping to reduce the risk of serious infections such as pneumonia, meningitis and bloodstream infections. This is another positive step in strengthening protection for young children.” 

Ms Heaphy says the changes will support tamariki, whānau and the wider health system. 

“When we prevent serious illness, children are healthier, whānau experience less disruption, and there is less pressure on GPs, emergency departments and hospitals. At a time when the health system is already under significant pressure, investing in prevention is one of the most effective things we can do.” 

Plunket supported Pharmac’s proposal to fund influenza vaccination for all children aged six months to under five years, and the move from PCV13 to PCV20 on the National Immunisation Schedule. 

Ms Heaphy says Plunket would also like to see this momentum continue with fully funded access to the Medsafe-approved RSV immunisation, nirsevimab, for all tamariki. 

“This announcement is a significant step forward in managing respiratory illness in New Zealand. We would also recommend that the approved RSV immunisation, nirsevimab, is fully funded for all pēpi, as another important measure to reduce serious respiratory illness, hospitalisation and pressure on whānau and health services.”