• preventing disease and
• improving health and
• that risks associated with vaccines are rare.

Immunisation has eradicated communicable diseases such as polio from most of the world (including New Zealand).  Many of these  diseases cause illness or death in children.

How do immunisations work?
When you are immunised, your body's immune system reacts towards the immunisation and forms protection against the diseases you are immunised against.

Who monitors the immunisation rate?
Under the Ministry of Health’s National Immunisation Programme, the key objectives are the immunisation of New Zealanders and improving health by reducing vaccine-preventable diseases such as hepatitis B, measles and influenza.

Are there some groups who need to increase their immunisation rate?
In the interest of public health everyone should be immunised. Achieving higher immunisation rates in Maori and Pacific children is a Ministry of Health priority as immunisations in these populations are significantly lower than in other New Zealand children. Improving immunisation rates in these groups will help to reduce health inequalities.

Is there a charge to be immunised?
Immunisations are free for all children at 6 weeks, 3, 5, and 15 months, 4 and 11 years.  For adults over 65 and for others with certain continuing conditions like asthma or heart disease, yearly influenza immunisation is free. Charges for other immunisations vary,  your practice nurse can provide this information.

What is the National Immunisation Schedule 2006?
This sets out the ideal age and sets a sequence for key immunisations and booster shots to be administered. Immunisations are ideally given within a timeframe to prevent immunity declining.

Click here to access the Schedule

I have been asked to sign my child on to The National Immunisation Register (NIR), what is this?
The National Immunisation Register (NIR) is a computerised information system that has been developed to hold immunisation details of New Zealand children.  The NIR will enable authorised health professionals to quickly and easily find out what vaccines your child has been given.  If your family has shifted to another area or changed healthcare providers, your information remains on the register. This will help to make sure immunisations are given at the appropriate time.

What do I do if a recently immunised child/adult has an adverse reaction?
At the time of immunisation, you will be provided with an information sheet outlining the most common side effects and setting out general advice.  If you are still concerned, contact your normal doctor or practice nurse. They will assess your child and decide whether to report this event to the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring CARM

Our Accident & Medical Centre can assist if your enquiry is out of the hours your normal doctor or practice nurse works.

Useful Links

http://www.moh.govt.nz/immunisation
The Ministry of Health Immunisation site

The New Zealand Immunisation Advisory Centre
(IMAC) was established to provide information, education and support to health professionals and the public. The website includes details on the diseases and vaccines, updates of information for vaccinators, commonly asked questions and answers, and a quiz to test yourself on immunisation related knowledge.

Immunisation Handbook 2006
This Handbook provides information on the National Immunisation Schedule 2006 for children and recommendations for adult immunisation.

Meningococcal B immunisation programme website (Be wise, immunise)

Meningococcal disease information

Public Health