Minister praises Māori providers for boosting vaccinations.
The Minister of Health, Dr Shane Reti, has commended hauora Māori providers for their efforts in increasing the delivery of life-saving immunisations across all age groups and populations. According to recent figures, these providers have administered over 69,000 vaccinations since the launch of the Immunising our Tamariki programme in December 2023.
The programme, which aims to boost immunisation rates by connecting with communities and building trust, has seen a significant increase in vaccinations. In October alone, more than 5,600 vaccinations were funded, including those for influenza, COVID-19, and pregnant women. This marks a 5.5 per cent rise from the previous month's figures.
The programme's focus on high-risk groups, such as children under 24 months, has shown promising results, with 53 per cent of October's vaccinations targeting this age group. The Government remains committed to its target of 95 per cent of children being fully immunised at 24 months of age and is working closely with hauora Māori providers to achieve this goal.
The collective effort required to reach the target is acknowledged by Dr Reti, who emphasizes that protecting young children from preventable diseases through immunisation is crucial for setting them up for a healthy future. The Government's investment in making it easier to get kids immunised through various services and outreach programmes will continue to support this initiative.