Decision to increase the list price and subsidy of Influenza Vaccine for 2022
What we’re doing
Pharmac has made a decision to increase the price and subsidy for the influenza vaccine for 2022.
This decision means that:
- There will be an increase in the list price and subsidy for the funded brands of influenza vaccine (Afluria Quad and Afluria Quad Junior) from $9.00 to $11.00 per dose from 1 March 2022
- Vaccinators will continue to be fully reimbursed when making an Immunisation Benefit Claim when vaccinating a patient eligible for a funded vaccination
- The confidential net price to Pharmac remains unchanged.
This change results from discussions between Pharmac and the vaccine supplier, Seqirus. The supplier sought to increase the market price of the influenza vaccine without changing confidential pricing for the funded influenza vaccine.
Any changes to the original proposal?
This decision was subject to a consultation dated 3 February 2022 to increase the list price and subsidy of Influenza vaccine for 2022.
No changes have been made to the original proposal outlined in the consultation.
Who we think will be most interested
- GP vaccinators
- Pharmacy vaccinators
- Pharmaceutical wholesalers
- Other influenza vaccine suppliers
- DHB Procurement Officers and supply chain personnel
Detail about this decision
The price and subsidy of Influenza vaccine will be listed in Section I and Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 March 2022 as follows:
| Vaccine | Presentation | Brand | Pack size | Price & subsidy | Date of change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Influenza Vaccine |
Inj 60 mcg in 0.5 ml syringe | Afluria Quad (2022 formulation) |
10 | $110.00 | 1 March 2022 |
| Inj 30 mcg in 0.25 ml syringe | Afluria Quad Junior (2022 formulation) |
1 | $11.00 | 1 March 2022 |
The Afluria Quad Junior (2022 formulation) is indicted for patients aged 6 months to 35 months and Afluria Quad (2022 formulation) is indicated for patients aged 3 years and over.
These age restrictions are different from the 2021 season when Influvac Tetra was temporarily supplied for patients aged 3 and 4 years. The Influvac Tetra and Fluad Quad brands supplied in 2021 are not funded for the 2022 season. Pharmac access criteria have been updated to reflect these changes.
Please refer to the access criteria(external link) on Pharmac’s website for further information.
The price increase may result in a higher purchase price for unfunded patients.
Our response to what you told us
We’re really grateful for the time people took to respond to this consultation. A summary of the main themes raised in feedback and our responses to the feedback received are as below:
| Theme | Pharmac Comment |
|---|---|
|
Vaccination rates of Māori and Pacific Peoples |
|
| It was noted that Māori and Pacific Peoples are underserved population groups, and the price increase may act as a barrier to access. | The Ministry of Health and Pharmac are currently working to increase the uptake within the eligible patient groups, including Māori and Pacific Peoples.
|
|
Needles |
|
| It was noted that there would be an additional cost to providers if the vaccine is not supplied with a needle. | Pharmac has been advised by the supplier that the 2022 season vaccines will be supplied in a prefilled syringe, with a needle included. |
If you have any questions about this decision, you can email us at enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz; or call our toll free number (9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday) on 0800 660 050.