Immunisation About Immunisation

Preventing infectious diseases Based on sound scientific evidence Decline and eradication of communicable diseases National Immunisation Schedule and programme targets Immunisation coverage Different types of vaccines Preventing infectious diseases Immunisation is a way of preventing infectious diseases. Infectious diseases are caused by micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses. Vaccines may be delivered by injection or orally and prepare the body to fight infections using the natural defence mechanism, the immune response. Vaccines work by exposing the immune system to a modified form of the organism, or part of the organism that causes the disease, prompting an immune response without making the person sick. Based on sound scientific evidence Immunisation is based on sound scientific evidence. The national and international scientific consensus is that immunisation is one of the most cost effective means of preventing disease and improving health, and that risks associated with vaccines are rare. Decline and eradication of communicable diseases Improved living conditions have played an important role in the decline of communicable disease, but have not eradicated these diseases. Immunisation has eradicated communicable diseases such as polio from most of the world, including New Zealand. Back to top National Immunisation Schedule Vaccines on the National Immunisation Schedule are offered free to eligible groups. Vaccinations are offered to babies, children and adults to protect against serious and preventable diseases. The National Immunisation Programme sets targets including: 95% of children to be fully vaccinated at age 2 years 75% of the high-risk adult population to be vaccinated annually against influenza More information on the New Zealand Immunisation Schedule. Immunisation coverage Immunisation coverage in Māori and Pacific children is lower than in other New Zealand children. Improving immunisation rates in these groups would help to prevent disease and reduce health inequalities. More information on immunisation coverage. Different types of vaccines Vaccines can be made in four different ways by using: live bacteria or viruses which have been weakened so that they cannot cause disease, eg, measles, mumps and rubella killed (inactivated) bacteria and viruses, eg, polio vaccine (IPV) bacterial toxins (poisons) which have been made harmless, eg, diphtheria and tetanus parts of bacteria or viruses, eg, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Vaccines may contain traces of the materials that the organisms for the vaccines are grown on. This can also include antibiotics and blood products. Vaccines may also contain preservatives. The very small amounts of these substances that are in the vaccines do not cause any harm. More information on vaccines and the diseases they prevent. Back to top Website feedback We welcome your feedback on this page.

Related information Centres for Disease Control Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring Immunisation Advisory Centre Improving Immunisation Coverage Health Target Medsafe Diseases not covered by the New Zealand Immunisation schedule

Page last updated: 13 June 2008