More Maori and Pacific parents choosing to immunise

More Maori and Pacific parents choosing to immunise their children

Maori and Pacific parents in the Nelson Marlborough region are choosing to vaccinate their children in greater numbers.

The latest Health Target results for immunisation show that 100% achievement for the national immunisation target for Pacific children, and 93% for Maori children. More recent data, for August 2017, shows further improvement, with Maori children at 97% and Pacific children maintaining a 100% rate.

The Ministry of Health target is for 95% of eight-month-olds to have their primary course of immunisation at six weeks, three months and five months on time.

General Manager Maori Health and Vulnerable Populations, Ditre Tamatea, says these rates show that more Maori and Pacific parents are taking the opportunity to protect their tamariki from a range of infectious diseases.

“Our Pasifika community should be celebrating the fact that they are leading immunisation rates in our region. Parents and fanau are making the call to protect their young ones – and the greater community,” Ditre says.
“Maori whanau also are making great gains, with an increase from 87% to 93% this year. This is how we report to the Ministry of Health, but the most recent data for August is even better – childhood vaccination for Maori is at 97%, and Pacific is still at 100%.

“Collectively, our Pasifika and Maori parents are leading the way among our region’s ethnicities. They, and our vaccinators, health system navigators and health promoters, should be celebrated.”

NMH’s childhood immunisation Health Target rates 2016/17
Target: 95% of eight-month-olds are vaccinated at six weeks, three months and five months on time.

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Pacific 83% 92% 95% 100%
Maori 87% 89% 95% 93%

About childhood vaccination
The National Immunisation Schedule is the series of vaccines that are offered free to babies, children, adolescents and adults.
http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/preventative-health-wellness/immunisation/new-zealand-immunisation-schedule

About Ministry of Health targets
Health targets are a set of national performance measures specifically designed to improve the performance of health services that reflect significant public and government priorities.
http://www.health.govt.nz/new-zealand-health-system/health-targets

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