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Immunisation

Immunisation can protect people against harmful infections, which can cause serious complications, including death. It is one of the most effective, and cost-effective medical interventions to prevent disease.

Immunisation uses the body’s natural defence mechanism, the immune response, to build resistance to specific infections. When an immunised person comes in contact with that disease in the future, their immune system will respond to prevent them developing the disease.

A selection of the vaccines which can prevent these diseases are included in the National Immunisation Schedule.

Common side-effects of immunisation are redness and soreness at the site of injections and mild fever. While these symptoms may be upsetting at the time, the benefit is protection from the disease. More serious reactions to immunisation are very rare.

Latest updates

18 Apr: Fax to GPs - Whooping cough update; Influenza programme update; Meningococcal disease; Infant immunisation audience research; Immunisation Week 2013 (PDF, 133 KB)

21 Mar: Fax to GPs – Eligibility changes to funded influenza vaccine – young children with respiratory illness, Co-administration of influenza vaccine and Pneumovax 23 (PDF, 151 KB)

11 Mar: Fax to GPs – Flu immunisation programme; Cold chain policy; Whooping cough; Infant immunisation programme; Assisted funding for patients; Newborn enrolment; New Zealand Immunisation Conference 2013; Childhood obesity survey (PDF 285KB)

1 Feb: Fax to GPs – Influenza Programme 2013, pertussis, vaccine package changes – Boostrix and Infanrix-IPV, E-learning update, childhood obesity survey, typhoid vaccine, primary vaccinations (PDF, 148 KB)

10 Jan: Fax to GPs – Immunisation e-learning tool (PDF, 128 KB)

View all immunisation updates

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Related areas

  • YourHealth

    Immunisation advice for you and your family

    Find out why it’s important to get immunised. Read more

     

Related websites

Page last updated: 20 May 2013