PRIORIX: Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)

Priorix information – Medsafe (PDF 276KB)(external link)

Aotearoa New Zealand is at very high risk of a measles outbreak. There is a risk of getting measles if you have not had 2 vaccinations, or have not already had measles. The measles (MMR) vaccine is free for all children age 18 and under in NZ, and all adults over the age of 18 who are eligible for free NZ healthcare.

High risk of a measles outbreak

This year in Aotearoa New Zealand we have already had cases of measles.

Not enough people here are immunised against it, which means it could just take a single case of measles to start an outbreak.

We need at least 95% of people to be immunised to stop an outbreak. This also protects babies who are too young to be vaccinated, and severely immunocompromised people.

This combined vaccine MMR protects against 3 vaccine-preventable diseases in 1 injection, including;

Measles

Measles is one of the most dangerous and contagious diseases. If you are not vaccinated and come into contact with someone who has it, you are very likely to catch it and pass it on to others.

Measles can cause a rash, flu-like symptoms, or more serious problems like brain swelling, chest infections, or death.

If you are pregnant, measles can make you very sick and can harm your baby.

Measles(internal link)

Mumps

Mumps is an infectious illness caused by a virus. It leads to painful swelling in the salivary glands around the face.

In rare cases, there can be serious complications such as hearing loss, an infection of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord (meningitis, or inflammation of the brain (encephalitis).

Aotearoa New Zealand had an outbreak of mumps in 2017. This only settled and finally disappeared with the first COVID-19 lockdown because the disease was not able to spread easily.

Mumps

Rubella

For children, rubella is usually a mild viral illness that causes a spotty rash. If you catch it when you are pregnant, however, it can cause serious birth defects in your baby such as deafness, heart defects, and brain damage.

Rubella(internal link)

ROTARIX: Rotavirus

Rotarix information — Medsafe (PDF 223KB)(external link)

The rotavirus vaccine is offered to babies for free when they are 6 weeks and 3 months old. Your pēpi (baby) needs 2 doses to be fully protected.

What the rotavirus vaccine protects your baby from?

Rotavirus is a viral infection that causes diarrhoea, vomiting and fever. It most often affects pēpi (babies) and young children. Some tamariki get so sick they need to go to hospital.

Rotavirus(internal link)

INFANRIX-HEXA: DTaP-IPV-HepB/Hib: diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, polio, hepatitis B, Haemophilus infl uenzae type b

INFANRIX-HEXA information — Medsafe (PDF 137KB)(external link)

This vaccination is free for babies at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 5 months. Your pēpi (baby) needs all 3 doses to be fully protected.

This combined vaccine protects against 6 vaccine-preventable diseases in 1 injection, including;

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a serious disease that can easily spread through coughing and sneezing. It causes a skin infection but can also affect the throat causing breathing difficulties.

Diphtheria(internal link)

Tetanus

This serious disease is caused by bacteria found in soil and manure. You can get the disease if dirt carrying this bacteria gets into a wound. Symptoms of tetanus disease include painful muscle spasms, difficulty breathing, chewing and swallowing.

Tetanus(internal link)

Whooping cough

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a bacteria that causes breathing difficulties and severe coughing fits. It can lead to pneumonia, seizures, and other neurological (brain) issues. More than half of babies under 12 months old who catch it need to go to hospital, and up to 1 in 50 of these babies die. It’s very contagious. It can easily spread between family members by coughing and sneezing.

Whooping cough(internal link)

Polio

Polio is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. Symptoms include headache, diarrhoea, tiredness, and pain in the limbs, back and neck. In serious cases, it can cause paralysis and death. There is no cure for polio – it can only be prevented by immunisation.

Polio(internal link)

Hepatitis B (Hep B)

Hep B can easily spread through contact with the blood or bodily fluids (like saliva) of an infected person. It is a viral infection that can cause serious problems, including liver disease and liver cancer. Hep B cannot be cured but can be prevented with vaccination.

Hepatitis B(internal link)

Haemophilus influenzae type b (hib)

Hib is a bacteria that causes life-threatening illnesses in young children. It spreads through the air by breathing, coughing and sneezing. It most often leads to Meningitis and Epiglottitis.

Although doctors can treat Hib with antibiotics, some children still die. Others risk permanent brain and spinal cord damage.

Haemophilus influenzae type b (hib)(internal link)

BEXSERO: Meningococcal B

Bexsero information — Medsafe (PDF 257KB)(external link)

The MenB vaccine was added to the National Immunisation Schedule for babies on 1 March 2023. All tamariki under 5 years old can catch up for free. MenB and MenACWY vaccines are available for rangatahi (young people) 13 to 25 years old in certain close-living situations.

What meningococcal vaccines protect you from?

Meningococcal disease is an infection caused by bacteria. It can lead to 2 very serious illnesse meningitis and septicaemia.

The disease is spread by coughing and sneezing, or by contact with saliva (spit) and can develop rapidly and it can become deadly in just a few hours.

People who survive meningococcal disease often have serious long-term effects, including amputation of limbs, hearing loss, seizures, brain injury, and permanent skin scarring.

Meningococcal disease

PREVENAR 13: Pneumococcal Disease

Prevenar 13® information — Medsafe (PDF 126KB)(external link)

The pneumococcal vaccine is free for all tamariki under 5. It protects against pneumococcal disease, which can cause a range of mild to life-threatening infections.

The vaccine is given at 6 weeks, 5 months, and 12 months.

What it protects you from

Pneumococcal disease is caused by bacteria that live in your throat, and if they spread to other parts of the body they can make you very sick. Pneumococcal disease is easily spread by coughing, sneezing, and close contact.

Pneumococcal bacteria can cause infections like pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia.

Pneumococcal disease(internal link)

INFANRIX-IPV: DTaP-IPV: diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, polio

INFANRIX-IPV information — Medsafe (PDF 123 KB)(external link)

This single-dose booster vaccination is free for children at age 4. It protects against 4 serious diseases.

This vaccines protect against 4 vaccine-preventable diseases in 1 injection, including;

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a serious disease that can easily spread through coughing and sneezing. It causes a skin infection but can also affect the throat causing breathing difficulties.

Diphtheria(internal link)

Tetanus

This serious disease is caused by bacteria found in soil and manure. You can get the disease if dirt carrying this bacteria gets into a wound. Symptoms of tetanus disease include painful muscle spasms, difficulty breathing, chewing and swallowing.

Tetanus(internal link)

Whooping cough

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a bacteria that causes breathing difficulties and severe coughing fits. It can lead to pneumonia, seizures, and other neurological (brain) issues. More than half of babies under 12 months old who catch it need to go to hospital, and up to 1 in 50 of these babies die. It’s very contagious. It can easily spread between family members by coughing and sneezing.

Whooping cough(internal link)

Polio

Polio is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. Symptoms include headache, diarrhoea, tiredness, and pain in the limbs, back and neck. In serious cases, it can cause paralysis and death. There is no cure for polio – it can only be prevented by immunisation.

Polio

HIBERIX: Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib)

Your tamariki can get a free booster vaccine for haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease when they are 15 months old.

Hiberix information — Medsafe (PDF 133KB)

The Hib vaccine given at 6 weeks and 3 month old is part of a different combination vaccine called INFANRIX-HEXA. This also protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and hepatitis B.(external link)

INFANRIX-HEXA information — Medsafe (PDF 155 KB)(external link

What the Hib booster vaccine protects you from:

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

Hib is a bacteria that causes life-threatening illnesses in young children. It spreads through the air by breathing, coughing and sneezing. It most often leads to meningitis, and epiglottitis. Although doctors can treat Hib with antibiotics, some children still die. Others risk permanent brain and spinal cord damage.

Find out more about Hib symptoms, causes and treatment.

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)(internal link)

VARIVAX: Chickenpox (varicella).

Information about Varivax — Medsafe(external link)

Your tamariki can get a free chickenpox vaccination when they are 15 months old. It is also free for 11 year olds who have not been immunised already or if they have not had a confirmed chickenpox infection. People planning a pregnancy should check their immunity to chickenpox.

What the chickenpox vaccine protects you from

Chickenpox (varicella) is a common highly infectious childhood illness. It causes an itchy, blistering rash. Symptoms also include fever, aches and pains, and feeling tired.

Infections are normally mild, but chickenpox can make some people very sick. It is usually more severe in rangatahi (young people), adults and people with a weakened immune system.

Find out more about the symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention of chickenpox.

Chickenpox (varicella)(internal link)

Pregnancy and chickenpox

Chickenpox during pregnancy can harm unborn babies and cause stillbirth.

If you are planning a pregnancy and are not able to find out if you have had chickenpox, or if you have not been vaccinated, it is strongly recommended you get a chickenpox vaccine before becoming pregnant.

Pregnancy and immunisations(internal link)

GARDASIL 9: HPV Human Papillomavirus

Gardasil 9 questions and answers — Medsafe(external link)

HPV immunisation is free for ages 9 to 26. Most schools provide it in Year 7 or Year 8. It is also available from your healthcare provider. HPV immunisation helps protect your tamariki against a number of cancers later in life.

What the HPV vaccine protects you from

The vaccine protects against human papillomavirus viruses that can cause a range of cancers. Cervical cancer is the most common cancer caused by HPV. The virus can also cause head and neck cancer, and cancer in other parts of the body.

For more information on cervical screening, including the new HPV screening test, visit the Time to Screen website.

Cervical screening — Time to Screen(external link)

BOOSTRIX: Tdap: tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis

Boostrix information — Medsafe (PDF 106KB)(external link)

This booster vaccine is free and recommended for tamariki from age 11. It is for protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough. You can also get it free when you are pregnant, and from 45 and 65 years old.

This combined vaccine protects against 3 vaccine-preventable diseases in 1 injection, including;

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is a serious disease that can easily spread through coughing and sneezing. It causes a skin infection but can also affect the throat causing breathing difficulties.

Diphtheria(internal link)

Tetanus

This serious disease is caused by bacteria found in soil and manure. You can get the disease if dirt carrying this bacteria gets into a wound. Symptoms of tetanus disease include painful muscle spasms, difficulty breathing, chewing and swallowing.

Tetanus(internal link)

Whooping cough

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a bacteria that causes breathing difficulties and severe coughing fits. It can lead to pneumonia, seizures, and other neurological (brain) issues. More than half of babies under 12 months old who catch it need to go to hospital, and up to 1 in 50 of these babies die. It’s very contagious. It can easily spread between family members by coughing and sneezing.

Whooping cough

SHINGRIX: Shingles

Information about Shingrix — Medsafe (PDF 229KB)(external link)

The shingles vaccine is recommended for anyone aged 50 and over. It is free for the 12 months after your 65th birthday. It is also free to some people aged 18 and older in some situations.

What the vaccine protects you from

Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of developing shingles later in life. 1 in 3 people will get shingles during their lifetime. Shingles is a painful rash that develops on one side of the face, body or head. The most serious complications are nerve pain that can last for months or years, and eye problems that can result in loss of vision.

Find out more about symptoms, causes and treatment.

Shingles

Protect our pēpi from whooping cough.

Whooping cough is on the rise in Aotearoa, and can be very dangerous for our pēpi, especially those under six weeks old. If you have a new Pēpi in your whānau or are expecting one, getting immunised is the best way to protect them.

In New Zealand, whooping cough vaccinations are funded for pregnant women from 13 weeks, helping to protect both mother and baby. It is also recommended for close family members, such as partners and grandparents, to further safeguard vulnerable infants. Staying up to date with the Boostrix vaccination helps ensure the health and safety of your whānau.

To keep our Tāonga safe, Te Aranga Health has made Whooping Cough vaccines free for our whānau.

Whooping cough

Tetanus is part of the national immunisation schedule and a booster is recommended following an injury that has caused an open wound if it has been more than 5 years since your last booster. 
This serious disease is caused by bacteria found in soil and manure. You can get the disease if dirt carrying this bacteria gets into a wound. Symptoms of tetanus disease include painful muscle spasms, difficulty breathing, chewing and swallowing.

Tetanus

Keep your family safe from the flu by getting immunized every year. A yearly flu vaccine is recommended for everyone over 6 months old. The flu can make even healthy people very sick, and every year people die from the flu. Immunisation is your best defence against the flu, and many people are eligible for a FREE flu immunisation.

What does the flu vaccine protects you from?

The flu (influenza) virus changes often. This means the vaccine has to be tweaked each year to match the new strains of the disease. Getting a flu vaccine every year means you have the best protection.

The flu can make you very sick, even if you are usually fit and healthy. Your tamariki can get very unwell with it too. You could also spread it to vulnerable people, including older people or pregnant people.

Flu (influenza)(external link)

Risk of flu when you are pregnant

If you catch the flu when you are pregnant, there is a high risk you could develop serious complications that can affect you and your pēpi (baby).

You can get a free flu vaccine at any stage of your pregnancy. If you are pregnant across 2 flu seasons, it is recommended that you get a vaccination in both seasons.

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that affects your lungs, airways and other organs. People who have COVID-19 sometimes have no symptoms or only mild respiratory symptoms, similar to a cold. However, some people can become very sick and need to go to the hospital. If you are immunised, you are less likely to fall seriously ill.

COVID-19

Which vaccine is used

COVID-19 vaccines in Aotearoa

The COVID-19 vaccine we use for people aged 6 months and over in Aotearoa New Zealand is made by Pfizer-BioNTech.

The Pfizer vaccines are the only Medsafe-approved and funded vaccines that are available for use in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Vaccine safety

COVID-19 vaccines are some of the most well-studied vaccines ever made.

They needed to be rolled out quickly, but that does not mean safety was compromised. The Pfizer vaccine we are using in Aotearoa New Zealand is held to the same high safety standards as any other medicine.(internal link)

Immunisations you need if you are planning a pregnancy

We recommend you are up to date with all your immunisations if you are planning a pregnancy. It is particularly important to know if you are immune to, measles, rubella and chickenpox. You cannot have these immunisations when you become pregnant, and they can cause harm to you and your developing baby.

Immunisations you need while you are pregnant

Some diseases are riskier while you are pregnant. You can protect yourself and your pēpi (baby) while you are pregnant by getting 3 free vaccines.

While the vaccines do not affect your pēpi, you will naturally pass on some of your immunity. This means when they are born, they will have some protection until they are old enough to be immunised themselves. This is especially important for whooping cough, Covid-19 and Influenza (flu)).

Whooping Cough.

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a bacteria that causes breathing difficulties and severe coughing fits. It can lead to pneumonia, seizures, and other neurological (brain) issues. It’s very contagious and can easily spread between family members. It is particularly dangerous for babies. More than half of babies under 12 months old who catch whooping cough need to go to hospital, and up to 1 in 50 of these babies die.

By getting immunised when you’re pregnant you will protect your pēpi until they can have their first immunisations when they are 6 weeks old. This is because your immunity passes to your baby through the placenta.

The whooping cough vaccine is most effective when given from 16 to 26 weeks of pregnancy, but is available and free from 13 weeks of every pregnancy.

Whooping cough

Flu Vaccine

If you catch the flu when you are pregnant, you are at greater risk of getting pneumonia and are more likely to be hospitalised.

Flu also increases the chance of complications for your baby, such as early birth, miscarriage, stillbirth and lower birth weights.

You can get a free flu vaccine at any stage of your pregnancy. If you are pregnant across 2 flu seasons, it is recommended that you get a vaccination in both seasons.

Flu (influenza)

(external link)

COVID-19.

Being vaccinated against COVID-19 means you are far less likely to get seriously ill. It also protects your pēpi as there is evidence that babies can get antibodies through the placenta that help protect them from COVID-19.

As well as your first 2 COVID-19 doses, pregnant people over 16 years old, can have boosters.

To get a booster it is recommended that you wait at least 6 months since your last COVID-19 vaccine or infection.

COVID-19(internal link)

Specific vaccination recommendations are dependent on your medical and vaccination history and your individual travel plans. Talk to your doctor about what you might need to protect your health while overseas.

Please call to confirm costs and to ensure we have the appropriate vaccines.