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Mental health information added to 2023 flu kit booklet

Mental health information added to 2023 flu kit booklet

Monday, May 1, 2023

The new information, on the importance of influenza vaccination for people in this group, has been included to support health professionals in increasing influenza vaccination uptake. A new 27 March 2023 version of the flu kit booklet with this addition is available on this webpage influenza.org.nz/resources/resources

Background

Pharmac introduced a new funded influenza vaccination eligibility criteria from 1 July 2022.

People under 65 years of age who:

• have any of the following serious mental health conditions:

- schizophrenia, or

- major depressive disorder, or

- bipolar disorder, or

- schizoaffective disorder

• And/or are currently accessing secondary or tertiary mental health and addiction services

 

This widening of access is a permanent addition to the Pharmaceutical Schedule. For more information see

pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resources/news/2022-06-27-media-release-pharmac-widens-flu-vaccine-access-to-increase-uptake/