Immunisation - protecting your whakapapa

Measles

Measles is a serious disease that can make you very sick. Getting immunised is the best way to protect you, your whānau and community from catching and spreading measles. 

If you’re aged 18-34, you may not have been fully vaccinated against measles. 

• Where can I get immunised
• Māori Health Providers
• How you get Measles
• Symptoms and treatment
• Good reasons to get immunised
• Is the measles (MMR) vaccine safe? 
• Te Whatu Ora measles information 

To find an Immunisation clinic near you go to Healthpoint 
Immunisation • Northland • Healthpoint

To find a COVID-19 testing clinic near you go to Healthpoint
COVID-19 Testing • Northland • Healthpoint

FREE masks and RATs for the public and Distribution Sites in Northland (Monday to Friday) 

To continue to help protect people from the spread of COVID-19 during the spring and summer seasons - when people come together socially more often, there are more large-scale public events and people move around the country in bigger numbers - we are reminding everyone that free face masks and rapid antigen tests (RATs) remain available for pick up from participating RAT collection centres until 29 February 2024.

• General practitioners continue to offer COVID-19 testing in certain circumstances, however there may be a charge for some people.
• To get free masks and RATs while they are still available, find a collection centre near you at Healthpoint or call free on 0800 222 478 and choose option 1. This includes medical masks for all and P2/N95 masks for people at higher risk of getting very sick.
• If you live rurally, have a disability, are immunocompromised or experience challenges collecting RATs yourself, you can call 0800 222 478 to check if you are eligible for a RAT delivery service.
• Different types of face masks provide different levels of protection. To protect everyone, you should choose a face mask that best fits you, suits your needs and is comfortable to wear. A mask that isn’t worn correctly will be ineffective.
• When picking up free masks from your local collection centre, talk to staff about whether a medical or a P2/N95 mask is the best choice for you.

Me whakapapa te ora - Immunisation is one way to protect whakapapa

Ngā Tātai Ihorangi provides health services for the first 2000 days of a tamariki life.  Immunising our tamariki against vaccine preventable diseases not only protects them but also others in the community, those who cannot be immunised or have low immunity.

Key points to remember about immunisation:

• immunisation protects your child against a range of serious and sometimes fatal diseases
• immunisation on time is the most effective way to protect pregnant mums, babies and children from preventable disease
• immunisations begin when your child is 6 weeks old
• immunisations on the National Immunisation Schedule are free in New Zealand for babies, children and young people until their 18th birthday
• the benefits of immunisation far outweigh the risks.  

Why does my child need immunisation?

In the past, diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough killed many children. Today, we use vaccines to immunise children against these and other diseases.

Immunisation has wiped out some of the killer diseases of childhood in New Zealand.

• tetanus is very rare - although it still happens in children who haven't been immunised
• New Zealand is free of polio and diphtheria.

But, these diseases still exist in other countries.

The National Immunisation Schedule is designed to provide the best protection for our tamariki, their whānau and the hapori whānui (wider community).

Immunisations are free and normally provided at your Te Whatu Ora, Māori Health Service, Community Health Centre or GP practice.

Once pēpi is a few weeks old, you should receive a welcome letter or text encouraging you to make an appointment at six weeks for pēpis first immunisations.

If you are undecided about vaccination, please have a discussion with the practice nurse or visit www.immune.org.nz and/or call 0800 IMMUNE.

When to immunise your child

Tamariki Hauora Clinic

All childhood and pregnancy immunisations available.

• 22B Commerce Street, Whangārei - Thursdays, 8.30am-4pm (drop-in; no appointment needed)

For information on these other Vaccination Clinics go to this website page. 

See below for summary of when to immunise or the current schedule is be viewed on the HealthEd website.

Immunisation for older adults

Click here for immunisation information for older adults. 

Video resources