New Zealand expands midwife vaccination programme

New Zealand's Health Minister, Simeon Brown, announced that a government programme funding community midwives to deliver vaccinations is exceeding its initial targets. The initiative aims to protect pregnant women, infants, and families from preventable illnesses such as whooping cough and influenza.

The government set a target to have 80 midwives delivering vaccinations by June 30, 2027, with 25 sites ready to start. Current progress shows 218 midwives have expressed interest, 179 have completed training, and 32 sites are in the pipeline, surpassing the original 25-site goal. To date, approximately 70 midwives have vaccinated around 1,600 people.

The programme was expanded in February following a national whooping cough epidemic. While midwives were initially funded for antenatal immunisations, they can now vaccinate mothers after birth, babies, and eligible family members until the child reaches one year of age.