Media Release
4 April 2007
National Childhood Immunisation Stats Released
Latest statistics show more than 77 percent of children are fully immunised at age two, a figure that has increased by more than 17 percent over the last 15 years.
The National Childhood Immunisation Coverage Survey 2005 was designed to measure immunisation coverage in two to three year old children, and to measure any change since a similar survey was carried out in 1991/92. The survey also examined caregivers attitudes to immunisation, and measured immunisation coverage across different ethnic groups.
Dr Alison Roberts, Senior Advisor of Public Health Medicine says these survey results provide a baseline measure of coverage levels for the Ministry's National Immunisation Programme.
"This data was collected prior to the implementation of the National Immunisation Register during 2005, which is a computerised information system which holds immunisation details of New Zealand children."
Dr Roberts says, "in the next few weeks we hope to have the first official set of immunisation coverage data from the Register. Our aim is to work towards having 95% of all New Zealand children fully immunised by the age of two, which is the level required to prevent outbreaks of diseases, such as measles."
She says the National Immunisation Coverage Survey 2005 shows that Pacific coverage rates at age two are on a par with the European/Other ethnic group. In contrast, despite the increase in Maori vaccination levels from 1991/92 to 2005, significant inequalities in coverage exist in comparison to European/Other children.
"Coverage levels are higher for vaccines received at a younger age. Around 82% of one-year-olds are fully immunised but only 77% of two-year-olds are fully immunised. Strategies need to be devised to improve immunisation coverage for Maori in particular and the population as a whole.
For further information contact:
Victoria Evans
Media Advisor
Ph: (04) 496 2036
Question and Answer
1. Is the data from the survey in 2005 still relevant?
This is the first time since the early 1990s that the Ministry has had national immunisation coverage figures for children. The survey was carried out between January and March 2005 and involved face-to-face interviews with 1563 caregivers of two and three-year-olds. The data was then used to produce estimates that are representative of the whole population. The survey data will be compared against coverage data from the National Immunisation Register (NIR), which is soon to be released.
2. What are the current immunisation rates according to the NIR data?
NIR data will be released in the next few weeks.
3. What were the main reasons for children missing vaccinations?
Of the 17% of children who had missed one or more vaccinations, the main reasons given by caregivers for missing vaccinations were concern about the risk associated with immunisation (25%) and using a different immunisation schedule or having immunisation given overseas (19%).
4. If a child has missed a vaccination, can they still catch up?
Yes, parents and caregivers are advised to discuss catch up vaccinations with their doctor.
5. How important is it for immunisation coverage to be monitored and recorded?
Monitoring and recording of immunisation coverage is important for planning to improve coverage, reducing inequalities in coverage and for predicting the likelihood of vaccine-preventable disease epidemics.
Improved immunisation coverage gives individual protection against vaccine-preventable diseases and protection for the community against recurring epidemics. Achieving a 95% immunisation coverage level will ensure we prevent outbreaks of disease like measles. Although immunisation in New Zealand has eliminated wild polio and has controlled tetanus and diphtheria, we still experience epidemics of measles, pertussis (whooping cough) and rubella. Although the occurrence of Haemophilus influenzae type b disease has been reduced by over 90% in New Zealand, this disease has been virtually eliminated in other countries. Monitoring immunisation coverage using the survey data and the NIR will allow for the evaluation of strategies designed to improve immunisation coverage, both nationally and by district health board.
6. How do improved immunisation rates help reduce inequalities between different population groups in New Zealand?
Ensuring access to appropriate child health care services including Well Child and family health care and immunisation is one of the 13 population health objectives included in the New Zealand Health Strategy. Information about inequalities in immunisation coverage is essential for planning how to reduce any disparities in coverage. Reducing inequalities in immunisation coverage is also a key priority in the strategy Immunisation in New Zealand: Strategic Directions 2003-2006. Immunisation is also one of the eight Maori health gain priority areas.
7. What immunisations do children currently receive in their first two years of life?
At 6 weeks, children receive a DTaP-IPV vaccine, a Hib-Hep B and a MeNZB vaccine.
At 3 months, children receive the same immunisations as at 6 weeks of age.
At 5 months, children receive a DTaP-IPV vaccine, a Hep B and a MeNZB vaccine.
At 10 months, children receive their fourth and final dose of MeNZB vaccine.
At 15 months, children receive a Hib vaccine and an MMR vaccine.
DTaP-IPV - diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (whooping cough)-inactivated polio vaccine
Hib-Hep B - Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B vaccine
MeNZB - meningococcal B vaccine
MMR - measles, mumps and rubella vaccine
Note that the Immunisation Coverage Survey data does not include the MeNZB vaccine.