Why should I have my baby immunised
WHO and the Ministry of Health recommend that all children are fully immunised. All immunisations are offered free, to all New Zealand children.
When babies are born they have little immunity to disease which makes them susceptible to the sorts of bugs we, as adults, can fight off. They will get what is known as ‘passive immunity’ from you through the placenta and through your breast milk. However vaccines will give their immune system the help it needs to protect them against serious illnesses, so it’s really important to make sure your baby is immunised to stop them getting sick.
When should I get my baby immunised?
All babies – even premature ones – should be immunised from birth. Your health care professional will discuss your baby’s immunisation program with you. The immunisation can be undertaken either through your baby clinic, family doctor or your health care professional, which ever is appropriate for you
Click here for Australian National Immunisations Programme
Will my baby suffer any side-effects?
If you are worried your baby is having an adverse reaction to a vaccine, speak to your health care professional.