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No vaccine to protect against the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) that was recently identified in China is available. There are ongoing research and development efforts for a vaccine to protect against different coronavirus called MERS-CoV that was first identified in the Middle East in 2012. For the latest New Zealand focused public health advice and information regarding 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease:

PHARMAC has extended the Zostavax catch-up programme for adults who were 66–80 years of age or older on 1 April 2018 and are still aged under 81 years . Adults who meet this eligibility criteria now have until 31 December 2020* or they turn 81 years of age, whichever occurs first, to receive one funded Zostavax. Adults who were 65 years of age on or after 1 April 2018 do not have an age or time limit to 'catch-up' a missed 65 year old dose. *The catch-up programme was previously due to end on 31 March 2020.

From 1 July 2019, Boostrix® (Tdap) is funded from the second trimester of every pregnancy and recommended to be administered from 16 weeks.  In response to the published safety and immunogenicity data, PHARMAC extended the eligibility for administration of Tdap to anytime during the second or third trimesters of every pregnancy.

The full PHARMAC Immunisation Schedule notification is available on their News/Notifications webpage https://www.pharmac.govt.nz/news/notification-2019-07-30-immunisation. In summary: Brand changes Vaccine Current brand From 1 July 2020

  The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on immunization have released the 2018 Assessment Report   of the Global Vaccine Action Plan.