Midwives to Deliver Expanded Funded Immunisations for Mothers and Babies

“Midwives are trusted health professionals who work closely with families from pregnancy through the early months of a child’s life,” Mr Brown says.

Midwives across New Zealand can now offer a significantly wider range of funded immunisations, improving access to timely vaccination for mothers, babies, and close family members during a critical stage of early life, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

Under the expanded settings, midwives are now funded to administer vaccines not only during pregnancy, but also after birth — covering mothers, infants, and eligible family members until a baby reaches 12 months of age. The change integrates immunisation more fully into routine maternity care, reducing barriers for families at a time when regular healthcare contact is already occurring.

“Midwives are trusted health professionals who work closely with families from pregnancy through the early months of a child’s life,” Mr Brown says. “Extending the vaccines they can provide means more opportunities for mothers and babies to get protected, when and where it’s most convenient.”

The expansion builds on changes introduced in August last year, when community midwives became funded to deliver antenatal immunisations to pregnant women. Together, the measures create a more continuous and accessible vaccination pathway across pregnancy, birth, and infancy.

By enabling vaccinations to be delivered alongside standard maternity care, the initiative aims to improve uptake and timeliness, particularly for families who may face challenges accessing general practice or community clinics.

“This change will improve access for expectant mothers, new parents, infants, and close family members, helping to ensure protection against vaccine-preventable diseases at the earliest possible stage,” Mr Brown says.

The policy shift comes at a time when outbreaks of highly contagious diseases such as measles and pertussis continue to pose serious risks. Infants are among the most vulnerable to severe illness and complications, making early and accessible immunisation critical for individual and community protection.

“Providing these vaccinations through midwives reduces delays and helps protect newborns before they are exposed to preventable disease,” Mr Brown says.

The initiative is being delivered through a coordinated effort between Health New Zealand, the Ministry of Health, the Midwifery Council, the New Zealand College of Midwives, and the Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC), ensuring appropriate training, oversight, and clinical guidance.

“Immunisation remains one of the most effective tools we have to protect public health,” Mr Brown says. “By supporting midwives to offer a wider range of funded immunisations, we are making essential healthcare easier to access and strengthening protection for families and communities across the country.”