Pandemic influenza plans, policies and publications for the health sector.
The Ministry of Health is the lead agency for planning for and responding to pandemics on a national scale.
District health boards (DHBs) and their public health units are responsible for leading the planning and response to a pandemic at the local and regional level.
The Ministry of Health has developed plans, policies and guidance to support the health and disability sector to fulfil their responsibilities in a pandemic.
On this page:
- New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Action Plan (NZIPAP)
- Related policies: National Reserve Supplies Usage, H5N1 Pre-Pandemic Vaccine Usage
- Other publications: National Laboratory Guidelines, Getting Through Together, New Zealand Aotearoa Pandemic Response Policy for Aged Residential Care, and Six Principles for Safe Visiting and Social Activities in Aged Residential Care.
New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Action Plan
The New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan: A framework for action (NZIPAP) is intended for anyone involved in planning for or responding to an influenza pandemic. It also provides general information on pandemics and government planning for the New Zealand public. The plan details the specific roles and responsibilities of the health and disability sector in planning and response, and outlines the actions that need to be considered at each phase of a pandemic.
- Read more about the NZIPAP
- Download a copy from the publications section: New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan: A Framework for Action (2017)
Related policies
National Reserve Supplies Management and Usage Policies
The National Reserve Supplies Usage Policy document provides some details about New Zealand's national reserves of health supplies for use in health emergencies, and outlines policies for their use.
H5N1 Pre-Pandemic Vaccine Usage Policy
The H5N1 Pre-Pandemic Vaccine Usage Policy document provides some details about New Zealand's supply of this vaccine, and outlines policies for its use.
Other guidance and publications
National Laboratory Guidelines for Pandemic Influenza
The National Laboratory Guidelines for Pandemic Influenza are intended for use by health professionals and laboratory staff to ensure safe handling and collection of human specimens for diagnosis of influenza with pandemic potential.
Getting Through Together: Ethical Values for a Pandemic
Getting Through Together: Ethical Values for a Pandemic is guidance from the National Ethics Advisory Committee on ethical values for a pandemic. The emphasis is given to using shared values to assist people to care for themselves, their whānau and their neighbours, and using shared values to make decisions in situations of overwhelming demand
New Zealand Aotearoa Pandemic Response Policy for Aged Residential Care
The purpose of the New Zealand Aotearoa Pandemic Response Policy for Aged Residential Care is to provide nationally consistent guidance for aged residential care (ARC) stakeholders to prepare for, prevent and respond to an epidemic or pandemic.The policy is principle-based and designed to be tailored to local environments.
Six Principles for Safe Visiting and Social Activities in Aged Residential Care
This publication supports rest home providers in the development of policies and procedures that enable safe visiting, social activities and outings in the context of viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2 which causes COVID-19. These six principles are underpinned by the recognition that ARC facilities are residents’ homes. ARC facilities are expected to align their local policies and procedures with these Principles.
Publications
- New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Plan: A Framework for Action, 2017
- National Health Emergency Plan: National Reserve Supplies Management and Usage Policies
- National Health Emergency Plan: H5N1 Pre-Pandemic Vaccine Usage Policy
- National Laboratory Guidelines for Pandemic Influenza
- Getting Through Together: Ethical Values for a Pandemic
- New Zealand Aotearoa Pandemic Response Policy for Aged Residential Care
- Six Principles for Safe Visiting and Social Activities in Aged Residential Care