Southern meets immunisation targets

Media Release

4 February 2015

Southern meets immunisation targets

Southern District Health Board (SDHB) is celebrating its success in meeting its childhood immunisation targets.

In December 2014 the DHB met its target of immunising 95 percent of eight-month-old babies. Southern DHB was one of the few DHBs achieving the immunisation coverage target for eight month olds and this was the first time that Southern had met this 95 percent target.

For the same month it also met its target for two year olds immunising 95 percent of two-year-olds on time.

“We’re delighted with the results especially as Southern was one of the few DHBs achieving the immunisation coverage target for eight month olds,” commented Southern Service Manager- Population Health, Sharyn Robson.

“The success was due to the commitment and collaboration of all the health professionals dealing with immunisation including practice nurses in general practices, our outreach teams and the vaccine preventable disease team who work extremely hard to ensure high levels of immunisation coverage. This ensures that our Southern babies and children are protected from vaccine preventable diseases,” she said.

The Ministry of Health for 2015 are looking to increase immunisation coverage for 6 month olds. It is hoped that by increasing coverage for 6 month olds this will enable the maintenance of a higher coverage rate at the 8 month mark. Ensuring that children are fully immunised on time is beneficial for children and their families.

For more information go to the http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/healthy-living/immunisation?icn=yh-immunisation&ici=heading

ENDS

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