Midwives in NZ Authorized for Expanded Immunisation Services
New Zealand's Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced a significant expansion in the services offered by midwives, authorizing them to provide a wider range of funded immunisations. This initiative is designed to support families from pregnancy through the first 12 months of a child's life.
Expanding Immunisation Scope
Previously, community midwives have been funded to provide antenatal immunisations for pregnant women since August of last year. Under the new authorization, their scope of practice now includes administering funded vaccines to mothers after birth, to babies, and to eligible family members until the baby reaches 12 months of age.
"Providing these vaccinations as part of routine maternity care is intended to reduce barriers and simplify the process for families to maintain up-to-date immunisations."
Enhancing Family Protection
The core aim of this initiative is to improve access to vaccination for expectant mothers, new parents, infants, and close family members. This supports timely protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. By integrating these vaccinations into routine maternity care, the goal is to reduce traditional barriers and simplify the process for families to maintain up-to-date immunisations.
The expanded access is considered particularly relevant during disease outbreaks, such as measles and pertussis. Infants are identified as being most vulnerable to these illnesses, underscoring the importance of readily available vaccination.
A Collaborative Effort
This initiative is the product of a collaborative effort involving Health New Zealand, the Ministry of Health, the Midwifery Council, the New Zealand College of Midwives, and the Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC).