2026 flu season
Getting a flu vaccine helps reduce your risk of getting really sick or having to go to hospital.
2026 flu vaccine eligibility widened
From 1 September 2026, every child under 5 years old can get funded access to the flu vaccine.
Decision to immediately widen access to the influenza vaccine for children under 5
2026 eligibility
The influenza (flu) vaccine is free for people who are most vulnerable to becoming very sick if they get the flu. The free vaccine is called Influvac Tetra for adults and young people. There is ample supply for everyone who meets the funding criteria. The 2026 flu season began on 1 April 2026.
The vaccine is funded for everyone:
- 5 years old and under
- 65 years old and over
It is also funded for people of other ages who are most at risk of becoming very sick from flu:
- with long-term conditions (like asthma, diabetes or cardiovascular disease)
- with reduced immune function
- who are pregnant
- with specific mental health conditions or addiction issues
Eligibility will remain the same in 2027.
How much vaccine has been distributed?
Each year, we track how much vaccine is distributed to vaccinators. 2026 has started off strong with over 600,000 vaccines distributed by the end of March, ahead of the same point in previous years.
The widening of funded access saw a noticeable bump in the distribution of vaccines from 1 September to 12 October 2026. Over 16,000 vaccines were distributed during this period. This is about 3 times more vaccine distributed than during the same period in previous years.
Who to contact
If you have questions about flu vaccine funding, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz