Immunisation Immunisation Coverage

What is immunisation coverage? Why is it measured? Why is high coverage important? What is New Zealand's target? Coverage data Questions and answers What is immunisation coverage? Immunisation coverage is the percentage of children who have received all of the immunisations on the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule for their age. Why is it measured? Immunisation coverage is measured to identify groups at risk of vaccine-preventable diseases and to evaluate the effectiveness of programmes designed to increase coverage. Why is high coverage important? High coverage is important to protect not only the health of an individual but to protect the community as well. High coverage reduces the spread of disease to those who have not been vaccinated either by choice or because of medical reasons, such as children with leukaemia whilst receiving treatment. Back to top What is New Zealand's target? New Zealand’s target for immunisation coverage is 95% of children are fully immunised by 2 years of age. More comprehensive information covering a wider age group will be available as the children enrolled on the NIR grow older. Coverage data Since 2005 coverage has been measured using New Zealand’s National Immunisation Register (NIR). View detailed national and District Health Board immunisation coverage data. Before the NIR, immunisation coverage was measured using coverage surveys. The last survey was in 2005. The results showed 77% of children were fully immunised at the age of 2 years. View the National Childhood Immunisation Coverage Survey 2005. Questions and answers View related questions and answers. Back to top Website feedback We welcome your feedback on this page.

Related information National Immunisation Register Improving Immunisation Coverage Health Target Diseases not covered by the New Zealand Immunisation schedule

Page last updated: 23 June 2008