Immunisation in New Zealand
Immunisation in New Zealand
When your baby is born, he or she is protected against a variety of infections by your antibodies, which have passed to your baby during pregnancy. If you breastfeed your newborn baby, further antibodies pass to him or her through your breast milk. These antibodies help to protect your child against a range illness and diseases, particularly tummy bugs.
These antibodies are short lived and only protect against some diseases, some antibodies last a few weeks, others a few months. Your child will begin making their own antibodies as soon as they are born.
Although your antibodies provide important protection for baby early on against some infections, there are some other diseases that they are still vulnerable to.
In the past many children died from diseases such as whooping cough, polio and diphtheria. Now, it is possible to immunise your child against these, and other serious diseases.
Immunisation starts even before baby is born. Because pregnant women are especially vulnerable to complications from influenza (the flu), the influenza vaccine is recommended and free for all pregnant mums during the flu season. All pregnant women can also get a free whooping cough booster between 28-38 weeks pregnancy. They not only pass antibodies to their baby before being born, but can also help prevent getting the disease themselves. This gives baby the best protection until they start their own immunisations.
In New Zealand, your child's immunisations are free. In most cases, they are provided by your local GP or Practice Nurse. If you are not sure who provides immunisation in your area, check with your Well Child Health provider.
Find the latest New Zealand Immunisation Schedule here.
Deciding whether or not to immunise your child is a very personal choice, and a small percentage of parents choose not to have their children immunised, for various reasons.
This information was provided by the Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC), a nationwide organisation based at The University of Auckland. They provide independent, factual information about immunisation and vaccine- preventable diseases. The information is based on international and New Zealand medical research. The Immunisation Advisory Centre can help you make decisions about your child's health. For questions related to immunisation and vaccination-preventable diseases check out their website at www.immune.org.nz or freephone 0800 IMMUNE (466 863). The Ministry of Heath website also has an immunisation page which provides further information.
