Infant immunisation schedule protects tamariki from birth onwards

+Practice

Vaccines

Infant immunisation schedule protects tamariki from birth onwards

By Marleen Hart and Phoebe Bint

Wednesday 23 October 2024, 12:15 AM

Measles outbreaks are the “canary in the coalmine”, exposing gaps in immunisation coverage that could lead to outbreaks of other vaccine-preventable diseases [Image: George McCaa via Wikimedia Commons]

As we continue to strive towards protecting Aotearoa against vaccine-preventable diseases, it is important to support confident and capable vaccinators in the community. This article helps by outlining the National Immunisation Schedule for infants under two years

Key points, Timely vaccination provides early protection for infants who are at highest risk from vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccination in pregnancy p, Pract Green w Pale Yellow

Vaccines

Infectious Disease

Paediatrics

References

1. McIntyre PB, Best E, Byrnes CA, et al. Pertussis deaths in New Zealand without community transmission–an infant immunity gap? Lancet Reg Health West Pac 2023;37:100850.

2. Health New Zealand. Immunisation Handbook 2024, version 5. 25 September 2024.

3. Health New Zealand. Measles. 25 September 2024.

4. Walls T, Cho V, Martin N, et al. Vaccine impact on long-term trends in invasive bacterial disease in New Zealand children. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2018;37(10):1041–47.

5. ESR. Invasive Meningococcal Disease Monthly Report, July 2024.

6. Health New Zealand. Immunisation coverage. 27 September 2024.

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