Health Targets

Immunisation success in Wairarapa

A strong community network and commitment to immunisation is getting top results in the Wairarapa.

From January 1-April 1, 2007, the Wairarapa District Health Board had the country’s highest rate for fully immunised babies aged 12 months. It also topped the country for Māori babies fully immunised at 12 months.

The National Immunisation Register (NIR) shows 91 percent of all Wairarapa babies were fully immunised at 12 months compared with the national average of 81 percent.
Wairarapa’s immunisation rate for Māori babies aged 12 months was even better, at 94 percent compared with 71 percent nationally.

Wairarapa Public Health Unit manager Debi Lodge-Schnellenberg says the immunisation rates reflect "a community of people who network very well and who don’t understand the concept of 'too hard or too big'.’’

"We have one objective – immunisation – and everyone who is a stakeholder is involved. It works brilliantly,’’ she says.

A wide range of health professionals and providers collaborate to make sure babies are being immunised. These include practice nurses, a Tamariki Ora provider, Plunket, and outreach immunisations staff. In addition, the immunisation programme has strong links with the local Māori Women’s Welfare League, whose members help encourage immunisation in Māori families.

Mrs Lodge-Schnellenberg says the best advice she could give to other DHBs working on their immunisation rates is to listen to the practice nurses, help them with processes to work closely with outreach services and meet regularly.

"Tackle all projects in small bits and the work to achieve targets is more easily palatable," she says.

"We’re lucky here with the world’s best National Immunisation Register Coordinator and District Immunisations Facilitator – that sure helps."

The Wairarapa Public Health Unit also publishes a quarterly newsletter, which usually has some immunisation content. This newsletter goes to every family in the region via local schools, as well as to libraries and other public outlets.

Related information

In this section:
Improving Immunisation Coverage Target

In other sections in this website:
Immunisation section

Page last updated: 8 August 2007