For questions about immunisation and vaccination-preventable diseases, contact the Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC).
For information on the immunisation status of your child, please contact your family doctor.
National Immunisation Schedule
The National Immunisation Schedule is a programme of publicly funded vaccines available in New Zealand. The Ministry of Health manages this schedule which is available free to infants and children under the age of 18 years old. The vaccines on the schedule are to provide protection (immunity) against vaccine-preventable communicable diseases.
Childhood immunisations
Immunisation helps prevent many serious childhood infections. This is a free service for children under the age of 18 years, which is available from your primary health provider (your doctor). It is not necessary to see your doctor before you have these immunisations, your practice nurse can give these to your child.
When a child is immunised, their body's immune system is stimulated to protect against the diseases represented in the vaccine. It is important to understand that the risk from any of these diseases far outweighs any risk associated with vaccination.
To develop good immune protection against a range of serious diseases there is a comprehensive schedule of immunisations (including boosters) that must be given over time. It is also important that these immunisations are given when they are due.
The Ministry of Health recommends that all children are immunised against:
You can find more information on recommended child immunisations on the Immunisation Advisory Centre website.
More information for families of babies and young children
Tuberculosis vaccine (BCG vaccine)
The BCG vaccine is for babies at higher risk of tuberculosis (TB) disease, which is defined as:
View the list of countries with high rates of TB.
Pregnant women
Pregnant women are recommended to get the following free immunisations to protect them and their baby:
Adults aged 45 and 65 years
Adults aged 45 and 65 years are recommended to have booster vaccines against tetanus and diphtheria. The vaccine is free but people may be required to pay an administration fee for this service - see your medical centre.
Immunisation for adults and children at higher risk of severe disease or complications
Some immunisations are free for children and adults at high risk of severe disease or complications due to other medical conditions they have. These vaccines are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Haemophilus infuenzae type B (Hib), human papillomavirus, influenza, meningococcal, pertussis (Tdap), pneumococcal, tuberculosis and varicella vaccines. For more information visit the Ministry of Health website.
Other vaccines
The following vaccines are available for private purchase:
Varicella vaccine to protect against chicken pox.
Talk to your doctor if you are interested in getting more information about these vaccines.
Travel vaccines
Advice about immunisations and other measures to protect you and your family's health is available from specialist travel medicine centres and local medical centres.
For further travel information visit:
National Immunisation Register (NIR)
The NIR is a computerised information system that has been developed to hold immunisation details of New Zealand children. It enables authorised health professionals to quickly and easily find out what vaccines a child has been given (this includes children whose family has shifted to another area or changed healthcare providers). This will help to make sure immunisations are given at the appropriate time.
For information on the immunisation status of your child, please contact your family doctor.
For more information about the NIR visit the Ministry of Health website.
Helpful links
New Zealand immunisation schedule, Immunisation Handbook 2017, BCG immunisation, and cold chain management and more.
Last updated 26.8.2019