This annual report - Taranaki District Health Board

Immunisation Coverage RatesThe following section uses the National Immunisation Register to review immunisationcoverage rates for children at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months and 5 years of age.Data Source and MethodsIndicatorProportion of Children Fully Immunised at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months and 5 years of ageNumerator: National Immunisation Register (NIR): The number of children who turned the milestone ageduring the reporting period and who had completed their age appropriate immunisations by the time theyturned that milestone age.Denominator: NIR: The number of children who turned the milestone age during the reporting period.Notes on InterpretationDuring pregnancy and after birth, parents are informed about the NIR, with Lead Maternity Carers playing akey role in information provision. Following delivery, all of the relevant information about each child is added tothe NIR, with parents being able to ‘opt off’ having their child’s immunisation information stored in the NIR. Inthis case the child’s National Health Index number, date of birth, District Health Board and any immunisationsalready recorded in the NIR are retained, so that immunisation coverage can be accurately calculated. Parentsmay also choose not to immunise their children and this is recorded on the NIR as a declined immunisationevent to prevent recalls.The NIR was implemented by the Ministry of Health and District Health Boards in 2005. The rollout occurred ina staged fashion commencing with the Greater Auckland region in April 2005 and finishing in NelsonMarlborough in December 2005. Thus only children born from 2005 onwards have their details recorded in theNIR. However, all children immunised with the MeNZB vaccine as part Meningococcal B ImmunisationProgramme had their details recorded in the NIR, along with any other immunisations given at the same time(although no further vaccinations are recorded on the NIR for these older children). For further details on theNIR see http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/preventative-health-wellness/immunisation/national-immunisationregister/questions-and-answers-national-immunisation-register.New Zealand Distribution and TrendsDistribution by Milestone AgeIn New Zealand during 2009 (Q2) to 2012 (Q2), immunisation coverage rates were highestfor children aged 12 and 24 months, followed by 18 months, and then five years, withcoverage being lowest for children aged 6 months. Immunisation coverage rates however,increased for all age groups during this period (Figure 64).Distribution by EthnicityIn New Zealand during 2009 (Q2) to 2012 (Q2), immunisation coverage rates at 6 and 18months were higher for Asian > European > Pacific > Māori children. While similar ethnicdifferences were evident at 24 months during early 2009, by early 2012, coverage rateswere higher for Asian and Pacific > European > Māori children. Immunisation coveragerates for all ethnic groups increased during this period (Figure 66). Thus by 2012 (Q2)immunisation coverage at 24 months was 97.6% for Asian, 96.8% for Pacific, 93.3% forEuropean and 92.2% for Māori children (Figure 65).Distribution by NZ Deprivation Index DecileIn New Zealand during 2009 (Q2) to 2012 (Q2), immunisation coverage rates at 6, 12 and18 months and five years remained higher for children from the least deprived (NZDepdeciles 1–2) > average (NZDep deciles 5–6) > most deprived (NZDep deciles 9–10) areas.While similar socioeconomic gradients were evident at 24 months during early 2009, theselessened, so that by the first two quarters of 2012, coverage rates were very similar forthose from the most and least deprived areas (Figure 66). Thus by 2012 (Q2)immunisation coverage at 24 months was 93.8% for children from the least deprived(NZDep deciles 1–2) areas, 92.1% for children from average (NZDep deciles 5–6) areas,and 94.1% for children from the most deprived (NZDep deciles 9–10) areas (Figure 67).Immunisation Coverage - 159