National fails on flu prevention as hospitals buckle – Labour

National has dropped the ball on flu vaccinations, and patients are paying the price as hospitals buckle under the pressure.

“Our health system cannot afford another three years of National. Simeon Brown has let vaccination rates fall while influenza rips through the country,” Labour campaign chair Kieran McAnulty said.

“Just 59% of people aged 65 and over have received a funded flu jab this year, down from 64% in 2023/24 and well below Health NZ’s 75% target. These are the people most at risk from flu. Getting them vaccinated should have been one of the Government’s most basic jobs.

“National promised its cuts wouldn’t hit the frontline but HealthNZ has a hiring freeze because the health system is underfunded. That’s another broken promise.

“Wellington Hospital’s emergency department went into Code Red 575 times last year, nearly twice a day. Christchurch was in Code Red on almost a third of days last winter, while Hawke’s Bay recorded 162 days of critical overload.

“Now hospitals are dealing with a major flu outbreak on top of that pressure.

“This is what happens when you take your eye off prevention. A flu jab is cheaper than a hospital bed. Prevention is cheaper than crisis care.

“National needs to get its priorities straight before more vulnerable New Zealanders pay the price.

“New Zealand cannot afford another three years of National’s cuts. Labour will invest in our health system and the support Kiwis need,” Kieran McAnulty said