95bFM Labour's Andrew Little: Flu vaccine eligibility extended to Māori and Pasifika over 55
7 April, 2023
Interview by Tuva'a Clifton, adapted by Jessica Hopkins
Health Minister Andrew Little says the government wants as many people as possible to get the flu vaccine this year. Photo: Unsplash.
Funded access to the influenza vaccine has now been extended to Māori and Pasifika over 55.
Health Minister Andrew Little told Tuva'a Clifton on 95bFM's The Wire that younger Māori and Pasifika are now eligible for a free dose in addition to anyone 65 years and over, pregnant, or with underlying health conditions.
Māori and Pasifika are more prone to flu infections than other population groups in Aotearoa, with research showing that older Māori and Pasifika people are two to three times more likely to die from the flu compared to other ethnicities.
Pharmac estimates that an additional 39,000 people will now be able to access a free flu jab.
Little said the government wants as many people as possible to get their jab this year, to better protect themselves if there is a serious flu outbreak.
“With the borders opening, and from what we saw in the Northern Hemisphere, we expect there will be more flu strains around this winter, so we need to keep as many people as possible protected.”
The government has announced it has two million doses of the flu vaccine available, with flu season fast approaching.
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