New Zealand views addition of rotavirus, varicella vaccines to national immunization schedule

A vaccine for the gastric infection rotavirus and protection from varicella for the most vulnerable people are among proposed changes to the national immunization schedule on which New Zealand’s Pharmaceutical Management Agency, PHARMAC, is seeking feedback.

Rotavirus and varicella vaccines are not currently funded, says PHARMAC’s Medical Director Peter Moodie. Already, 14 vaccines are funded in New Zealand and PHARMAC is managing the national contracting process for the first time, including looking at options for widening access to existing vaccines or listing new ones.

New Zealanders would have added protection from infections in the community if the proposals were implemented, says Dr Moodie, adding: “New Zealanders’ access to funded vaccines would continue to improve under these proposals. In many cases vaccines offer our best defence against infection in the community, so this is an important process for people to be involved in. Having put together this proposal, we now want to hear from people what they think.”