Flu vaccine funding has been dealt a major blow

Children up to 12 years old and all Maori and Pasifika peopled aged 55 and 64 are no longer able to get a free vaccine.

In 2019, a third of all hospital admissions were children with respiratory issues - while Maori and Pasifika people are more than twice as likely to be hospitalised for these issues.

Asthma and Respiratory Foundation chief executive Letitia Harding says there's concern for the country's most at-risk populations.

She says it's strange the Government talks about making free school lunches targeted - but they are cutting funding for a targeted programme like this.