A local healthcare team is offering free pyjamas and nappies as an extra incentive to get Auckland children vaccinated.
A local healthcare team is offering free pyjamas and nappies as an extra incentive to get Auckland children vaccinated.
ProCare, New Zealand’s largest Primary Health care Organisation (PHO), is trialling the winter wellness packs to
encourage the immunisation of Māori and Pacific children.
More than 400 PJ and nappy packs will be gifted to whānau through 28 of ProCare’s family medical centres who have the
highest number of children yet to be immunised.
ProCare Group CEO Bindi Norwell says a very unfortunate impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is that there has been a drop in
the number of children receiving their childhood vaccinations, particularly in Māori and Pacific families.
“Vaccination for young pēpe (babies) is an important step in getting them the best start in life, and we want as many
children as possible to benefit from these free vaccines.
“The Ministry of Health sets a target of 95% immunisation for eight month and two-year-old children. Sometimes the
difference of meeting this goal, is just a handful of children. While we know there are many reasons why some families
don’t vaccinate, we hope that this extra incentive will raise awareness in the community of how important these vaccines
are to the health and wellbeing of our children,” says Ms Norwell.
Ms Norwell says ProCare hopes the idea, which was created by the ProCare Population Health team and immunisation
co-ordinators, resonates with whānau so that the programme may be expanded next year.
“We see great potential for this kind of programme to encourage whānau to bring their tamariki into general practice for
all health needs. This year we are starting with eight month and two-year-old vaccinations which is of great
importance.”
Ms Norwell says ProCare is grateful to The Warehouse Lincoln Rd who donated half the pyjama and nappy stock for the
campaign.
Brad Gard’ner, Store Manager for The Warehouse Lincoln Rd, says “we are delighted to support this important initiative
which provides a foundation to improve the health and wellbeing of our local community.”
General practices offering the PJs to eligible patients are:
Mt Wellington Integrated Health CentreThe Doctors OnehungaPanmure Medical CentreThe Fono Blockhouse BayDoctors at KingslandGrey Lynn Family Medical CentreOneare Health OtahuhuStoddard Road MedicalHealth New Lynn LtdPeninsular Medical CentreRoyal Heights Medical CentreTe Puna HauoraHenderson Medical CentreThe Doctors Massey MedicalLynnmall Medical CentreTuruki Health CentreOtara Family & Christian Health CentreClendon Medical CentreManurewa Medical CentreBakerfield Medical & Urgent CareConifer Gardens Medical CentreFamily Health CareThe Fono Manurewa