GPs say it's not too late to dish out free flu vaccines to under-fives from today.

Pharmac has brought forward funding initially timed for next April, as health services struggle with the worst outbreak in years. 

It makes more than 260,000 children aged six months to five years eligible. 

GP NZ chair Dr Bryan Betty says the flu arrived late this year and is likely to continue into spring. 

"We weren't expecting it to this degree, but it is happening - and I think it is a positive step." 

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