World Immunisation Week, celebrated in the last week of April (24-30), aims to highlight the collective action needed and to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. The theme this year is focussed on improving equitable access to immunisation for all children, regardless of where they live or their socioeconomic status.
This is an opportunity to recognise those people who have already been immunised and acknowledge the dedication and work led by vaccinators and the healthcare sector. Together we are working toward achieving our national health targets and protecting our tamariki from preventable diseases with 95% of children fully immunised at 24 months of age.
Immunisation is top of mind for us every week and there are several immunisation campaigns underway this month. We encourage you continue to use the available collateral to promote immunisation in your communities. If you would like to promote World Immunisation Week, a social tile will be made available in Dropbox on 12 April.
Last month, a decision was made to allow pharmacies to offer childhood immunisations as another option for whānau to access free vaccines in their communities.
Don’t forget our Webinar on Childhood immunisations in pharmacy next Tuesday 16 April at 7pm. The webinar will provide an overview of the free training programme Extending Vaccinator Skills (Whole-of-Life) to support pharmacist vaccinators who wish to upskill to authorised vaccinators.
We will also provide an overview of onboarding information. If you are interested in offering childhood immunisations, an onboarding guide and checklist are available on the Health New Zealand website under “Immunisation Service”. Participating pharmacies will be able to order childhood immunisations from 1 April.
If you are not able to attend the webinar, it will be recorded and available for viewing on Dropbox shortly after. We look forward to seeing you online.
Webinar: Childhood immunisations in pharmacy
Date: Tuesday, 16 April 2024
Time: 7.00 to 8.00pm
Meeting link: Join the meeting here
From 29 April 2024, the Immunise website (immunise.health.nz) will be shut down, as all information has now been transferred to the new Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora website, info.health.nz. The Immunise website was set up as a temporary solution in March 2023 to provide a centralised place where parents, caregivers, hapū mama and whānau could easily access information about immunisations.
Over the past year, our Immunisation collateral has used the Immunise.health.nz URL. A redirect will be set up on 29 April to redirect to info.health.nz/immunise. We will update our collateral (including posters, brochures and social media tiles) over time. There is no need to destroy any of the printed stock you have on hand.
Flu collateral
A suite of Te Reo Māori and Pacific language A3 posters and A5 Flyers are now available as part of the wider Flu 2024 campaign collateral. The Pacific materials relate specifically to the wider Shoo The Flu Pacific campaign and are available in Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islands Māori, and Niuean. All items are available on Dropbox to download and print, or pre-printed copies can be ordered on the Bluestar portal. Details of Dropbox and Bluestar are found at the end of this pānui.
Flu and Covid consent and post-vaccination forms
A reminder that the Flu consent form and post-vaccination leaflets are available on Dropbox in the ‘Influenza’ folder. These can be downloaded and printed as required. Printed flu consent forms are now available to be ordered via the Bluestar portal.
Next up on the Flu webinar series – Pēpi and Tamariki
We warmly invite you to the next hui in our flu webinar series on immunisations for pēpi and tamariki.
Please copy and paste the following details into your diaries if you are attending:
Webinar: Flu immunisation: focussing on supporting increased uptake amongst pēpi and tamariki
Date: Tuesday 23 April 2024
Time: 12.15 to 1.15pm
Meeting link: Join the meeting now
Email your questions: immunisation@health.govt.nz by 5pm, Monday 22 April
Upcoming dates for the remaining flu immunisation webinar hui
· Tuesday, 7 May 12.15 – 1.15pm – Mental Health and Addiction Join the meeting
· Tuesday, 21 May 12.15 – 1.15pm – 65 and over Join the meeting
Flu vaccine efficacy
We’re aware some health providers are fielding questions about the available vaccines for influenza.
There are four vaccines currently available for the 2024 season - Influvac tetra vaccine, Afluria quad vaccine, Fluad quad vaccine, Fluquadri vaccine, and Flucelvax Quad vaccine.
Pharmac have funded the Influvac tetra vaccine, so it is free for some individuals.
The non-funded Fluad quad vaccine (approved for 65+ years) is adjuvanted, which can produce an improved immune response.
However, all vaccines include the same flu strains and are effective against the current forms of influenza.
More information about influenza, vaccinations and funding eligibility can be found at Flu (influenza) vaccine (info.health.nz).
Alternate format
We’ve updated the range of alternate format versions of the key influenza messaging and information, including an audio reading, easy read and large text versions, as well as the Sign Language video and Braille resource.
These resources are available here: Flu (influenza) vaccine | Health Information and Services
We're here to help! If there is anything we can do to help with your vaccination promotion activity, or if you need any comms assistance please reach out to the team:
Health sector Comms and Engagement
Sandy.thambiah@tewhatuora.govt.nz
Māori and Pacific Comms and Engagement
Eddie.sykes@tewhatuora.govt.nz
Media issues
hnzmedia@health.govt.nz
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