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2023 Eligibility Criteria
Influenza Immunisation Programme 2023 dates
- The 2023 Influenza Immunisation Programme commences on 1 April 2023.
- The Programme runs to 31 December 2023. All groups can be immunised through to December.
- Te Whatu Ora asks vaccinators to focus on immunising people eligible for a funded vaccine.
Occupational health and health and disability workforces
As in previous years it is important healthcare and other frontline workers get immunised against influenza.
Te Whatu Ora sets a target for all health districts to immunise at least 80 percent of their healthcare workers every year.
Funding for immunising health and disability care workers
In order to support non-district employed health and disability providers, Te Whatu Ora will reimburse employers the costs associated with vaccinating their frontline staff. This offers an opportunity for providers to apply for reimbursement for influenza vaccinations they have provided to their frontline staff.
Reimbursement is available for health and disability sector employees, self-employed lead maternity carers, and carers employed under individualised funding arrangements who:
- are not eligible for a publicly-funded influenza immunisation (criteria available on the Pharmac website) or, are vaccinated by a provider who cannot claim for a publicly-funded influenza immunisation (eg, an occupational health provider), AND
- have patient/client contact
- Further information for employers can be found here: www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/for-the-health-sector/health-sector-guidance/diseases-and-conditions/influenza/
Providers can email queries about the Influenza Immunisation Programme to Te Whatu Ora immunisation@health.govt.nz.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA for FREE seasonal influenza vaccination in 2023:
- Pregnant people (any trimester)
- People aged 65 years older
- Māori and Pacific peoples aged 55 to 64 years
- People aged 6 months to under 65 years with any of the medical conditions listed in this pdf
- People under 65 years of age who have schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder; OR are currently accessing secondary or tertiary mental health and addiction services
- Children aged 6 months to 12 years inclusive Note: For eligible tamariki who require two doses of the vaccine, both doses are funded.
Also refer to the New Zealand Pharmaceutical Schedule on the Pharmac website https://schedule.pharmac.govt.nz/ScheduleOnline.php
Eligibility and clinical queries
The Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC)
The University of Auckland
Phone: 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863)
Email: 0800immune@auckland.ac.nz
Manual claiming and payment queries
Sector Operations Contact Centre
Phone: 0800 855 066 – option 2
Website: For more information including the manual claim form visit www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/our-health-system/claims-provider-payments-and-entitlements/immunisation-subsidy/
