Canterbury primary care teams recognised for outstanding performance on the Immunisation Health Targets

Canterbury primary care teams have received special recognition from Health Minister Tony Ryall today (Tuesday, December 21, 2010) for their outstanding performance on the Immunisation Health Target.

The target is for 90 percent of two year olds to be fully immunised by July 2011 and 95 percent by July 2012.

In the first quarter of 2010, Canterbury vaccinated 92 percent of its eligible two year olds (born between July 1, 2008 – September 30, 2008). Canterbury was also doing well to protect its eligible Maori (89 percent) and Pacific Island (94 percent) populations.

Being fully immunised protects a child against a number of diseases and is a cost-effective health intervention. Immunisation provides both individual protection and population-wide protection by reducing the incidence of diseases and preventing them spreading to vulnerable people. Some of these population-wide benefits only arise with high immunisation rates, depending on the infectiousness of the disease and the effectiveness of the vaccine.

Canterbury District Health Board chief executive David Meates says the results are terrific and are thanks to the strong partnerships and hard work of general practices, both urban and rural.

“What’s been impressive are the efforts by Canterbury general practices with almost half having vaccinated100 percent of their eligible children,” Mr Meates says.

Christchurch National List MP Nicky Wagner acknowledged Canterbury’s achievement by presenting a certificate on behalf of Mr Ryall to Mr Meates at the Papanui Medical Centre today.

Ms Wagner says Canterbury practices are leaders in achieving the national immunisation health targets.

“With the national average at 87 percent, Canterbury is well ahead with 92 percent,” she says.

Mr Ryall says the Immunisation Health Targets are really important for children's health.

“And that is why it is so important to us. We're rapt with this achievement from such a big District Health Board,” Mr Ryall says.

Canterbury is also on target to vaccinate 92 percent in quarter two of 2010.

The stats on immunisation rates in Canterbury:

Quarter One Statistic’s

• The final outcome was 92 percent of children were fully vaccinated by their second birthday.
   
• Of those not fully vaccinated 4 percent had declined an immunisation event and 1.2 percent had opted off the National Immunisation Register. This means the Canterbury DHB does not know their immunisation status.  This leaves 3 percent of children that the practices or Immunisation Outreach services could not contact or encourage to come in for a vaccination.
   
• Of the 125 general practices in Canterbury 70 of them vaccinated 100 percent of their children in the first quarter.  This accounted for 741 children. A further 19 practices vaccinated over 92 percent of their children accounting for another 489 children.   

Interim Quarter Two Statics

• Initial reports show Canterbury again sitting on 92 percent. Again there are around 1.5 percent opt off the register and 3.5 percent decline, which leaves the Canterbury DHB with around 3 percent of children that have not been vaccinated.  
   
• Of this 72 practices having vaccinated 100 percent of their children covering 630 children. 
   
• To be classified as fully vaccinated a child needed to receive the following vaccines:

1.    6 week DTap-IPV-HepB/Hib

2.    3 month DTap-IPV-HepB/Hib

3.    5 month DTap-IPV-HepB/Hib

4.    15month HIB and MMR

• In both quarters Canterbury general practices have vaccinated 89 per cent of its eligible Maori children and 94 per cent of its eligible Pacific Island children.