Immunisation vital for protection of NZ children

Immunisation vital for protection of New Zealand communities

Plunket is stressing the importance of immunisation as a tool to protect New Zealand families and communities.

Plunket believes vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from the many childhood diseases that can affect New Zealand families today. These include measles, mumps and rubella.

Plunket clinical advisor Helen Connors says these diseases can have serious complications and are often spread by family members or friends.

“Immunisation has a profoundly positive effect not only on the individual but on the whole of the population thereby improving community immunity from the disease,” she says.

“Communities need to be supported to inform parents to get their children immunised.”

Immunisation is sometimes presented as a controversial parenting choice and many parents are unsure about vaccinating children. Health education including providing parents with information on how vaccines work and how the immune system works is part of the Well Child schedule provided by Plunket staff.

ENDS

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