Immunisation

Marlborough PHO Immunisation Facilitator supports Marlborough practices to improve health outcomes of their population by supporting immunisation, and therefore reducing the impact of vaccine preventable diseases.
We provide assistance to General Practice staff with immunisation queries, referrals to the outreach service, and updates on the imunisation coverage of the childhood populations of each practice.

National Immunisation Register

Immunisation Outreach Service

Influenza H1N1 Information

Marlborough PHO Immunisation - 'ImmPHO' Newsletters:

• December 2011
• November 2011
• October 2011
• September 2010
• June 2010
• May 2010
• March 2010
• February 2010

Immunisation

How does Immunisation Work?
Immunisation copies the natural development of the immune system, strengthening your child’s immune system by training it to fight off the germs that cause diseases. It does this by exposing the immune system to just enough of the germs to activate an immune response without actually making the child sick.

Does immunisation work?
Yes. Immunisation is one of the most researched areas of medicine and the most valuable health care measure that has ever been developed. Over the years immunisation has controlled and stopped many of the diseases that cause illness or death in children.

To develop good immune protection against a range of serious diseases it is important to have vaccinations on time and to complete the series – including boosters.

The New Zealand Childhood Immunisation Schedule recommends immunisation at the following ages:

• 6 weeks , 3 months, 5 months, 15 months, 4 years and 11 years

For more information go to www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/immunisation-schedule

Access to Vaccines
Immunisation is free to all children aged under 16 years living in New Zealand regardless of the resident status of the child or their parents (charges may apply for other services).

Practice nurses undertake post graduate training in vaccination and update every two years. They are available to answer any queries parents may have. You can also contact the local Immunisation Facilitator Christine Holdaway on 520-6216 or 0800 022 521.

For further information on vaccination phone the Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) on 0800 466 863 or visit www.immune.org.nz

National Immunisation Register

The National Immunisation Register (NIR) is a computerised information system developed to hold immunisation details of New Zealand children.

Why do we need a NIR?
Children visit many different health care professionals such as general practitioners, Plunket nurses, hospital specialists, Maori or Pacific providers. The NIR enables authorised health professionals to quickly and easily find out what vaccines a child has been given and is the best way to make sure immunisations are given at the appropriate time.
The NIR will enable New Zealand to improve its immunisation rates, which at present lag behind other OECD countries.

What information is held on the NIR?
The NIR holds: personal information such as name, date of birth, gender, unique health number (National Health Index) and ethnicity details of a child; parent/caregiver details and contact information; nominated health professionals (general practitioner, midwife and Wellchild provider) and immunisations given. It can also record if a parent chooses not to immunise their child for a particular vaccine, or if there are medical reasons not to do so. This information is collected and updated regularly by authorised healthcare providers.

Immunisation Outreach Service

An Immunisation Outreach Service is available to all children in Marlborough. This service helps improve immunisation coverage in the community by following up referrals from General Practice for children who have missed vaccinations, and works with these children and their families to help access vaccination.

The Outreach Nurse works in the community visiting families at home, liaising with their General Practice and with other community based health professionals. She can be contacted to answer questions and concerns regarding immunisation, to provide support if needed to help them make decisions about their children’s vaccinations and if necessary support when visiting their family doctor for vaccination appointments. Contact Sharon Osborne on 577-9256.