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16 February 2026

Welcome to the NPHS Immunisation P?nui

We appreciate you sharing information and resources in this p?nui with your colleagues, contacts, and networks as relevant.


In this issue:


Expansion of immunisation scope for Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) midwives

In August 2025, Minister Simeon Brown announced that Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) had contracted the Midwifery and Maternity Providers Organisation (MMPO) to implement, maintain and support a national administration and payment system for all eligible Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) midwives who choose to provide antenatal immunisations.

Last week Minister Brown announced that from 1 February 2026, LMC midwives will be able to claim for additional vaccines if they choose to expand their practice, upon completion of additional training and retaining evidence of competency for the Midwifery Council.

In addition to antenatal immunisations, midwives who expand their practice will be able to offer funded immunisations to:

LMC midwives who claim from the Notice (Section 94) are eligible to claim the vaccine administration payment for the additional expanded practice vaccines as well as a training payment for completing the new IMAC course and workbook, ?Midwives? immunisation expanded practice?.

This funding is part of a broader strategy to increase the number of women who receive antenatal immunisations (pertussis, influenza, Covid-19) during pregnancy, support on-time immunisations for p?pi, and provide increased access for wh?nau who are due. This is especially important due to the recent measles outbreak and ongoing pertussis epidemic declared on 22 November 2024.

The Immunisation team are excited to be working with the MMPO, Ministry of Health, Midwifery Council, New Zealand College of Midwives, and Immunisation Advisory Centre on this initiative. You can read more about expanded practice for midwives on the Midwifery Council?s website, and funding available to midwives on the MMPO?s website.


Improving childhood immunisation rates - update

Health NZ continues to prioritise lifting childhood immunisation rates across all regions, with a particular focus on tamariki M?ori and Pacific children.

We are seeing national rates bounce back with immunisation services back to capacity again following the summer holiday period.

As at 8 February, the national 24-month childhood immunisation rate is 83%, remaining the same as the previous week?s result of 83%. Coverage for tamariki M?ori was 69.9% (down 0.1 percentage points), and 81.6% for Pacific children (no change).

Regional coverage rates for children aged 24 months (week ending 8 February 2026 vs week ending 1 February 2026) were as follows:

*Immunisation coverage data sourced from the National Collections AIR database.


Changes to authorised vaccinator training and authorisation

In our 22 January Immunisation P?nui, we advised that the training and authorisation process for authorised vaccinators (AVs) is being streamlined to ensure greater consistency across the motu. As part of this work, the Health NZ workforce requests portal (the portal) will be used as the online platform for vaccinators to submit their authorisation applications.

When do I use the portal?

From 11 February 2026, all vaccinators requiring authorisation by Health NZ will apply via the portal at Health NZ - Workforce Requests Portal.

Where can I find out more?

More information about these changes can be found at: Authorised vaccinator ? Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora


COVID-19 update

From 2 March 2026, New Zealand transitions to Comirnaty LP.8.1 30mcg (adult). Please note the following:


If you don?t currently offer COVID vaccination, please see the onboarding flyer in Dropbox and here. With streamlined onboarding and no minimum order requirements, it?s easier than ever to start offering COVID vaccines as part of your winter preparedness for patients and communities.

For general queries, contact immunisation@tewhatuora.govt.nz. For logistics and ordering queries, contact vaccinelogistics@tewhatuora.govt.nz.


General update

IMAC Winter preparedness symposium 2026

The Immunisation Advisory Centre will host the Winter Preparedness Symposium on 3 March 2026 at Holiday Inn, Auckland Airport.

This one-day event will focus on vaccines for influenza, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses. Topics include NZ influenza trends, international strategies, vaccine innovations, SHIVERS-VI updates, and global insights on COVID-19 and RSV.

Visit the IMAC website for further information on registration and the programme.


Immunisation monthly sector hui

Don?t forget the next monthly hui hosted by the Prevention Immunisation Team is scheduled for Tuesday 17 February from 1.00 to 2.00pm. The hui provides an update on immunisations.

For a meeting invitation please email immunisation@tewhatuora.govt.nz. If you are not available to attend on the day a recording will be sent afterwards to those on the invitation list.


Measles update

The measles outbreak that began in September 2025 is now officially over, although the risk of the virus remains. You can read the full media release on Health NZ?s website here.

Thank you to everyone across the health sector who contributed to the significant immunisation effort during the outbreak response, delivering nearly 107,000 MMR doses to people throughout the country.

Health Professionals are encouraged to continue being vigilant for the signs and symptoms of measles.


Collateral and resources

Dropbox downloadable collateral

Don?t forget all our immunisation collateral is available on Dropbox for health care providers to use when promoting vaccinations. You can simply download the collateral and print them. Dropbox ? National Immunisation Programme ? vaccine resources.

Collateral in HealthEd

Immunisation resources are also available from HealthEd under the vaccinations and immunisations topic. You can now download the resource PDF directly, or order some of the resources from the HealthEd website.

Collateral in Bluestar

Printed copies of some resources can be ordered for free via the Bluestar portal.

If you?re not already registered, you can register on the Bluestar portal. Below the login details, select ?Need to Register??. Complete the online registration form,?include your clinic/practice/pharmacy name and your contact details. You will receive an email confirming your registration. Remember to click the button in the email to 'Activate' your registration.


Where can I get more information?

We're here to help! If there is anything we can do to help with your vaccination promotion activity, or any other comms or engagement support, please reach out to Sandy.Thambiah@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

Media issues - hnzmedia@health.govt.nz

You can also find the Immunisation Update P?nui on our website.