Babies and children can catch diseases at any time. Immunisation is your child’s best protection against many serious but preventable diseases like whooping cough. This disease is still common in New Zealand. It can cause unnecessary suffering for children and can even be fatal.
A booster immunisation, which offers protection against whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus and diphtheria, is available free to 4 year olds. This booster is just as important as the immunisations they had when they were babies and helps boost their immunity against these three serious diseases.
Immunisation helps to protect your child, your whānau and our community.
At age four your child is also due for their MMR booster. The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Two doses are required for full protection, and the vaccine is provided at age 15 months and 4 years.
While it is always best to immunise on time, every time. If your child has missed out on their 4 year old booster, it’s free to catch up.
For more information, visit www.health.govt.nz/immunisation, call 0800 IMMUNE, or speak to your family doctor or nurse.
Disappointing to see such one-sided information being compiled by the Kiwi Families team.
Why not put balanced arguments forward, that include the risks of vaccines so parents can make a truly informed choice for their children?
I suggest that in the absence of such even-handed discussion that parents read what the Ministry of Health has to say, talk to as many people as they can, but also read around the subject more starting with Dissolving Illusions by Suzanne Humphries which demolishes most of the statements given here.
not holding my breath for that. even handed?