We recommend all our children are immunised. Babies are born with some passive immunity to certain infections because antibodies are passed on to them from their mother before birth and whilst breast feeding. This immunity however, does not last long.

Immunisation is one of the best ways to protect your child against many serious diseases and works by using a vaccine to stimulate your baby’s immune system.

For the best protection against serious diseases, everyone needs to be immunised on time, every time. The timetable of recommended vaccines is called the National Immunisation Schedule.

All childhood vaccines on this schedule are free to all children in New Zealand until their 18th birthday.

If you have questions or would like more information you can speak with your doctor, one of our nurses or go to www.health.govt.nz/immunisation.