Free flu vaccines for all children aged 6 months to under 5 years now available

Free flu vaccines for all children aged 6 months to under 5 years are available from today (1 September 2026), following a recent spike in influenza cases across the motu, particularly among young children.

Pharmac had previously announced that it would fund the flu vaccine for children aged 6 months up to their 5th birthday for the 2027 flu season. The decision to bring the widened access forward was taken in response to the current increase in influenza-related illness - children under 5 years of age are experiencing higher rates of influenza-related hospitalisation and severe illness than any other age group.

From today, all children aged 6 months up to their fifth birthday are eligible for a free flu vaccine. The funded vaccine for this age group is Influvac Tetra.

Eligibility:

all children 6 months to under 5 years
no medical criteria needed

‍Dosage:

those aged from 4 years - 1 dose
those aged 3 years and under who are receiving their first flu vaccine - 2 doses, 4 weeks apart

Healthcare providers are asked to:

recall and vaccinate newly eligible children
co-administer influenza vaccine with scheduled vaccines, and catchup any vaccinations that are overdue
prioritise children at higher risk
offer flu vaccine to wider whānau at same visit

The flu vaccine is also funded for:

People aged 65 years and over
People under 65 with health conditions that put them at higher risk of serious illness
Pregnant women

Pharmac says there is enough supply flu vaccine stock to support widened access to all children under five immediately. Health New Zealand is working with general practices, pharmacies, Hauora Māori and Pacific health providers to support immediate access across the country.

‍

For influenza resources and guidance, see immune.org.nz/immunisation/programmes/influenza