Register Celebrates Second Birthday In Hawke's Bay

10 September 2007

National Immunisation Register Celebrates Second Birthday In Hawke”S Bay

This Wednesday, 12 September 2007, marks two years since the National Immunisation Register (NIR) was established in Hawke’s Bay. The register is part of a larger plan by the Ministry of Health to improve immunisation rates in New Zealand as one of their major Health Targets.

Immunisation can protect children from ten serious diseases throughout life but immunisation rates in New Zealand are lower than many countries.

From 12 September 2007 the first children in Hawke’s Bay who went onto the register will be turning two years old. The first figures from the Register for coverage rates will become available and will be closely followed because a good deal of work has already gone into efforts to improve immunisation rates.

To mark the occasion, the first babies in Hawke’s Bay who went onto the register have been invited to a birthday party to mark the two year milestone.

Media & photographers are invited to attend:

Where: McDonalds Family Restaurant, Heretaunga Street, Hastings.
Time: 11:00 am Wednesday 12 September 2007

Background information

What is the National Immunisation Register (NIR)?
NIR is a computerised information system that holds the immunisation details of every child born in Hawke’s Bay after 12 September 2005. The NIR helps parents and healthcare providers such as your family doctor to keep a record of your child's immunisations.

How will the NIR help your child?
Your family doctor or practice nurse will use the Register to check which immunisations your child has been given. This will help ensure that your child receives all the appropriate immunisations at the recommended ages.

Children may visit many different health care providers for their health care. The NIR makes sure that information about your child's immunisations is available even if they receive health services in another part of the country (if you shift to another area, or to another doctor). The Register will also prompt reminder notices from your doctor's practice when your children's immunisations are overdue.

How will the Register help all children?

The NIR will provide health authorities with accurate data on immunisation coverage. This will help to target resources where they are most needed.

From now on the HBDHB will be getting accurate data on the proportion of children that are immunised (immunisation coverage) at aged two.

New Zealand immunisation rates are lower than many countries. The Ministry of Health has therefore set improving immunisation rates as one of their major targets.

ENDS

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