On this page

What does the immunisation coverage data show?

The immunisation coverage data shows the number of children who have reached a milestone age (eg 6, 8, 24 months and 5 years) during the previous three months nationally and in each local district.

Of those children who reached the milestone age during the previous three months, the coverage data shows how many received all of their age appropriate immunisations by the time they turned the milestone age.

Table One below indicates the immunisations on the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule included at each milestone age.

Table One: Immunisations included at each milestone age

Milestone Age

National Childhood Immunisation Schedule Visits

6 months

6 weeks, 3 months, 5 months

8 months

6 weeks, 3 months, 5 months

12 months (1 year)

6 weeks, 3 months, 5 months, 12 months

18 months

6 weeks, 3 months, 5 months, 12 months, 15 months

24 months (2 years)

6 weeks, 3 months, 5 months, 12 months, 15 months

5 years

6 weeks, 3 months, 5 months, 12 months, 15 months, 4 years
For information on the immunisations offered free to children, see the New Zealand Immunisation Schedule.

Why has Te Whatu ora published immunisation coverage data?

Publication of the immunisation coverage data allows anyone interested in New Zealand immunisation to monitor immunisation coverage rates. The immunisation coverage data also shows progress towards performance measures.

When will the immunisation coverage data be updated?

The immunisation coverage data will be updated on our website every three months.

Who will access and use the immunisation coverage data?

Anyone interested in immunisation coverage in New Zealand can access and use the immunisation coverage data on the Te Whatu Ora website.

For example:

  • Healthcare workers can use the data to evaluate strategies to improve immunisation coverage.
  • the public can look at national data and data for their region.
  • Aotearoa New Zealand reports on immunisation coverage to international organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) as a measure of child health in Aotearoa.

Can my child be identified from the immunisation coverage data?

No. Children cannot be identified from the immunisation coverage data. The immunisation coverage data only shows the numbers and percentages of children immunised.

To further protect privacy, the reports do not show data where there are less than 10 children in the ‘Number Eligible’ group.

What does ‘Dep’ mean?

‘Dep’ stands for deprivation index. The reports show immunisation coverage by level of deprivation.

The deprivation index is the average level of deprivation of people living in an area at a particular point in time, relative to the whole of New Zealand. Deprivation refers to areas (based on New Zealand Census meshblocks) rather than individuals.

Nine indicators are combined to give the deprivation index. The indicators reflect aspects of material and social deprivation.

The nine indicators are:

  • income derived from benefits
  • unemployment
  • low income earning
  • access to car
  • access to telephone
  • single-parent families
  • lack of formal educational qualifications
  • level of home ownership
  • living space within a home.

Dep 1-2 are areas with the least deprivation, Dep 9-10 are areas with the most deprivation. In the immunisation coverage reports, the address of the individual is matched to the level of deprivation for that area.

Increasing levels of deprivation are associated with higher mortality rates and higher rates of many diseases (Salmond and Crampton, NZDep2006 Index of Deprivation, 2007).

Why does immunisation coverage vary between districts?

There are many reasons why immunisation coverage levels vary between districts, including:

  • the number of children in the DHB, variations in ethnicity, deprivation level, rurality and number of providers
  • different strategies used within DHBs to improve coverage.

All districts are working towards achieving 95 percent of children fully immunised by 24 months of age.

What is Te Whatu Ora doing to help districts progress towards achieving the target of 95 percent of children fully immunised by 24 months of age?

Te Whatu Ora and districts are working together to improve immunisation coverage in New Zealand and to progress towards the target of 95 percent of children fully immunised by 24 months of age. Every three months, districts report to Te Whatu Ora on progress towards the immunisation coverage target.

DHBs have each formed an immunisation steering group. Members of the steering group may include:

  • National Immunisation Register (NIR) Administrators
  • Planning and Funding Managers
  • PHO representatives
  • Māori and Pacific health providers
  • Immunisation Coordinators
  • Outreach Immunisation Service providers.

The steering groups meet regularly to develop strategies and implement activities to improve immunisation coverage in their district.

Te Whatu Ora is developing new resources for health care providers, parents, whānau and care givers to improve understanding about the importance of immunisation.

Who can I contact for more information about immunisation?

You can contact the following people or groups:

  • your general practitioner or practice nurse
  • your primary health care provider
  • Public Health Service
  • your Plunket or Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse
  • Māori or Pacific healthcare providers eg Kai awhina
  • Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC)
  • phone Healthline on 0800 611 116
  • Immunisation Advisory Centre website