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Health Targets

Quarterly Reports
Improving Immunisation Coverage Target


Summaries from the target champion and detailed information on the national progress towards this target is provided below:

 Specific information on each DHB's progress towards this target is provided on their individual pages. You can access them on the Targets by DHB page.

Quarter Three 2007/08

Summary from the Target Champion
Nearly all DHBs are recording significant increases in immunisation coverage of two-year-olds.

All of the groups have begun to identify barriers which have in the past made it difficult to achieve the 95 percent coverage target. Some factors such as poverty and complacency sit outside the health sector's direct influence and will take societal action to address.

However, we need to look at our own processes and make changes to support families who want to get their children immunised but find the current system hard to use.

A common concern is how best to improve access to primary health care. The additional funding provided to Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) over the last few years, especially SIA funding and the increasing uptake of the ‘Free under 6s’ funding has helped PHOs to fund innovative practice.

But money is not the only barrier. Many children now have both parents working and increasing the opportunities for parents to bring their children into the practice (or elsewhere) for routine immunisation is a lot more cost effective than going out to these families.

The target for July 2009 is being finalised with DHBs. Some DHBs are proving to be a bit cautious, and the Ministry is working with them to determine a target which is both ambitious and achievable.

Detailed information

View graph of Immunisation Coverage at Two Years of Age for Quarter Three, 2007/08.

Quarter Two 2007/08

Summary from the Target Champion
Immunisation coverage for two-year-old children improved in the second quarter 2007/08.

A four per cent increase in immunisation coverage of two-year-old children was recorded in the second quarter, bringing the national immunisation coverage to 71 per cent as of December 2007.

We are confident of further increases for two main reasons: a range of initiatives are being developed to improve coverage and achieve the 95 per cent coverage target within the next four years or sooner. Frontline workers and management in all regions have also shown enthusiasm and commitment to meet the target.

DHBs that are performing well against target are sharing best practices with the aim of improving coverage in areas with lower immunisation rates.

DHBs are also working closely with the Ministry to maintain an accurate and up-to-date record of immunisation coverage rates on the National Immunisation Register, and to ensure newborn babies are enrolled in Primary Health Organisations and have access to primary care before six weeks of age.

Detailed information

View graph of Immunisation Coverage at Two Years of Age for Quarter Two, 2007/08.

Quarter One 2007/08

Summary from the Target Champion
In visits to North Island DHB Immunisation Advisory Groups (South Island visits are currently under way) the Ministry’s immunisation target champion has been impressed by the range of initiatives’ plans being developed to achieve improved rates of immunisation.

Two major areas have been identified for further focus:
  • improvements are needed to the National Immunisation Register (NIR) to create confidence in the NIR, and help monitor immunisation coverage more accurately
  • primary health organisation (PHO) enrolment of all babies must happen before six weeks of age. Movements between PHOs need to be better recorded, which will help to ensure that the immunisation programme continues.

Detailed information

View graph of Immunisation Coverage at Two Years of Age for Quarter One, 2007/08.
Page last updated: 18 July 2008


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