Pharmac will provide more access to the fully funded flu jab this April.
Children aged 6-12 years and Māori and Pasifika aged 55-64 years will soon have access to the flu vaccine for free.
"The flu vaccine is already free for people over 65, people with long-term conditions (like asthma and diabetes), those who are pregnant, and people with specific mental health conditions or addiction issues," Pharmac's chief medical officer Dr David Hughes said.
Dr Hughes said they are widening access before the flu season begins to ensure people who are eligible for the funded jab are aware they can access it.
"We would really like to see our most vulnerable people vaccinated against flu so the impact of illness on their lives and the wider health system is minimised," he said.
Te Whatu Ora and the Public Health Agency have supported the widening of access.
They expect the health sector will continue to be under pressure with COVID-19 hospitalisations this winter.
"We know that the flu spreads quickly between our youngest tamariki which increases the chance of them bringing it home and affecting the wider whānau," Dr Hughes said.
Around 835,000 children will be eligible, including an estimated 370,000 children of Māori Pasifika ethnicity.
"We encourage as many families as possible to get their tamariki vaccinated for free," he said.
"It continues to be more important than ever to boost our protection and to keep our communities safe and well, so we encourage people to chat with whānau, friends and healthcare practitioners about the opportunity to get vaccinated."
The additional access to the vaccine will start from April 1, 2023.
