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The Ministry of Health has secured an additional 55,000 doses of influenza vaccine.
Last month, the Ministry of Health announced that the vaccine would be restricted to people eligible for publicly funded vaccinations, due to a shortage nationwide.
In the first week of June, Pharmac had sent more than 1.26 million doses – almost as much as last winter.
The ministry said it worked closely with Pharmac to research and fund the additional vaccine.
The vaccine will be Sanofi's FluQuadri and will come from Australia. It will be available from July 15th.
The department said FluQuadri had already been used in New Zealand, but that it had not yet completed the Medsafe approval process at the start of the influenza season.
He indicated that this process was now complete and that the vaccine was approved.
Health Minister David Clark said it had been difficult to get more vaccines given the increase in demand globally.
But the additional 55,000 doses will bring the total number available to 1.38 million – more than any other year.
"It's really encouraging, especially if we consider the anti-vaxxer movement, the fact that more New Zealanders choose to be vaccinated and that they choose to receive it earlier."
"We are talking here about a life-threatening illness that is not only deadly for the person who could receive the vaccine, but also for those around him who could have compromised health and can not get it. for themselves."
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