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PrintNew Immunisation Schedule launched - New Zealand
Children will get more protection from pneumococcal disease with the launch today of the new childhood Immunisation Schedule.
The schedule is the series of free immunisations offered to all babies and children in New Zealand. It is updated every three years to include new and improved vaccines that protect against 11 preventable diseases.
From today, premature babies and children with medical conditions that put them at high risk of becoming seriously ill with pneumococcal disease will be offered a vaccine that provides protection against 13 instead of 7 strains.
All other New Zealand children will be offered a pneumococcal vaccine that protects against 10 instead of 7 strains from later this year, once supplies of the existing vaccine run out.
Babies and young children with pneumococcal disease can get very sick with ear infections, pneumonia or meningitis. Some die.
Disease rates in the under-twos have halved since a pneumococcal vaccine was first added to New Zealand's Immunisation Schedule in 2008.
Source: NZ Doctor - New Zealand
