Media Statement
Thursday 10 February 2005
Vaccine Arrival Marks Big Week for Tairawhiti Health
The first batch of the Meningococcal B vaccine arrived in Gisborne this week marking a significant milestone in the
fight against Meningococcal disease.
Meningococcal B vaccinations are available from Valentines Day Monday 14 February 2005.
Around 3500 under-five-year olds are eligible for the free and safe vaccination by visiting their local GP Practice.
Meningococcal B Vaccine Project Manager Jan Ewart said it was a significant week for health in Tairawhiti. She said the
vials are the first concrete signs the project was about to begin.
“We have vaccine deliveries all the time but not for a specific New Zealand programme such as this. The vaccine arriving
shows all the planning has been for something real,” she said.
A total of 10,000 vials of vaccine are expected to be used to fully vaccinate the under-fives. This month thousands of
letters have been sent to families asking parents and caregivers to make appointments for their young children.
Ms Ewart said during the programme GP practices placing their vaccine orders in, and receive the vials the following
day.
“This applies to all practices throughout Tairawhiti. Four days a week there will be vaccines being delivered throughout
the district.
Ms Ewart said the success of the Meningococcal B vaccination programme depended on the maintenance of the vaccine’s
potency, which could be affected by the temperatures it was stored at.
“The vaccines need to be kept between two and eight degrees Celsius to avoid exposure to heat or freezing, and must be
kept in special fridges.”
“These fridges, which are worth between $2,000 and 6,000, have been installed in all GP practices and assessed to ensure
they meet the stringent Ministry of Health standards.”
“The vaccine has been made specifically for New Zealand’s Meningococcal B epidemic and there are limited supplies. Vials
are delivered to the district in specially refrigerated trucks, Ms Ewart added.
Ms Ewart encouraged everyone with children aged under five-years-old to visit their local GP to receive the first of
their free and safe vaccines. A total of three vaccines spaced six weeks apart are needed for full protection.
Free Meningococcal B immunisations will be available for school-age children from 4 April 2005. School leavers aged up
to 19 years are also eligible for the free vaccination from their GP practice any time from February 14.
The Tairawhiti programme is part of a national $200 million vaccination programme targeting more than a million New
Zealanders. The programme is planned to combat the Meningococcal B epidemic which has gripped New Zealand for more than
10 years.
ENDS