28 July 2016 - PHARMAC has today announced changes to funded vaccines, which will benefit an extra 100,000 people.

The changes include:

From 1 January 2017:

• The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine will be available for all children and adults up to the age of 26 years, and boys will now be included in the HPV school vaccination programme. The HPV vaccine itself will also change to cover more strains of the virus, in fewer doses.

From 1 July 2017:

• The varicella (chickenpox) vaccine will be funded for all children as a part of the childhood immunisation schedule
• The pneumococcal vaccine will change from a 13 strain to a 10 strain version
• The rotavirus vaccine will change brand and move to a two-dose regimen
• The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) vaccines will move to new brands

“The changes have been made possible following constructive negotiations with suppliers that have created significant savings, and have allowed wider access to vaccines while reducing the overall cost to New Zealand.”

The changes include a change from a 13 strain to a 10 strain version of the pneumococcal vaccine.

Read PHARMAC press release