Dr Owen Sinclair answers your immunisation questions. See the transcript at the Immunise website [1].
Immunising tamariki in Aotearoa against a range of diseases keeps them safe. These diseases can cause serious illness, cancers later in life, and sometimes death.
In the past, diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough killed many tamariki. Today, vaccines protect aganist these and other diseases.
Immunisation has wiped out some of the killer diseases of childhood in New Zealand.
But, these diseases still exist in other countries.
Immunisation protects your child but it also protects those most at risk. This includes pēpi who are too young for immunisation or tamariki with weakened immune systems. These pēpi and tamariki rely on those around them being immunised.
There are still epidemics or outbreaks of some diseases in Aotearoa, including:
You usually need to take pēpi and tamariki to a GP practice for their immunisation.
Some pēpi and tamariki can have their immunisation from other services like Māori and Pacific providers or outreach services.
Check immunisation providers in your area [2].
Find out what immunisations your child needs, and when, at the Immunise website [6].
You can create a chart for your pēpi at the Immunise website [7]. By putting in your child's birthday, it will show you the immunisations your pēpi needs and when they should have them.
The chart below is just an example - create one for your child
Some tamariki need extra immunisations:
Talk to your GP practice.
Check out some tips about the immunisation appointment [8]
Tamariki can have reactions to immunisations. Most of these are mild, such as redness on the arm or a grizzly child for a day or two.
A reaction is an expected sign that the immune response is building and the vaccine is working. Occasionally, more concerning reactions occur like prolonged crying. Although worrying at the time, research shows there are no long-term problems following such reactions. But, if you are concerned, contact your GP practice.
Tamariki are more likely to get a fever or a high fever after immunisation with MenB (Bexsero). When your pēpi has their MenB vaccine, paracetamol can help lower any fever and make them more comfortable. [9]
Find out more about paracetamol and meningococcal immunisation [9].
Immunisation is not compulsory in New Zealand. There is a lot of inaccurate information on immunisation and this can be confusing. It's important to check out the source of the material. Ask:
Talk to your GP practice.
Watch a video from Immunise: Louis' parents talk about their anxiety around vaccine side effects
Watch a series of 10 short videos answering your questions about immunisation [10]
Watch some short videos about protecting your child from serious diseases [11]
Whānau talk about their experience of immunisation (video from Auckland, Northland, Waitemata and Counties Manukau DHBs)
Immunisation and how it works
You can watch a longer video (5 minutes 2 seconds) from the Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora about immunisation and how it works [12].
See the transcript [13] by scrolling down the page on the Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora website.
This page last reviewed 27 March 2023.
Email us [19] your feedback
Links
[1] https://www.immunise.health.nz/about-immunisation/benefits-of-immunisation/
[2] https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/immunisation/
[3] https://healthed.govt.nz/products/immunise-their-best-protection-english-version
[4] https://cdn.accentuate.io/8015610347748/11408390422661/HP8687-Childhood-Imms-Schedule_WEB-v9C-v1690937571088.pdf
[5] https://cdn.accentuate.io/5313713733790/11408390422661/HE2521-Immunise---their-best-protection-te-reo-Maori-WEB-v1682566408241.pdf
[6] https://www.immunise.health.nz/when-to-immunise/national-immunisation-schedule/
[7] https://www.immunise.health.nz/get-a-personalised-immunisation-schedule/
[8] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/immunisation-tips-p%C4%93pi-tamariki
[9] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/meningococcal-b-disease-immunisation
[10] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/immunisation-videos-why-immunise
[11] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/immunisation-videos-protecting-your-child-serious-diseases
[12] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OAuJ836LoU&t=1s&ab_channel=MinistryofHealth-Manat%C5%ABHauora
[13] https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/healthy-living/immunisation
[14] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/tags/immunisation
[15] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/1512?language=zh-hant
[16] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/1555?language=zh-hant
[17] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/1912?language=zh-hant
[18] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/1556?language=zh-hant
[19] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F36%3Flanguage%3Dzh-hant