Effective immunisation depends on many parts of the health system working well. The Immunisation Service Delivery Framework is the outcome of national engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. The Framework is presented with its rationale, key areas of focus, major recommendations and suggestions for DHBs, PHOs and the Ministry of Health for improving immunisation coverage.

Vaccine preventable diseases have a significant impact on the health of a population. One of the most cost effective interventions in health is immunisation. To limit the spread of vaccine-preventable disease 90 – 95% of the population needs to be immunised. Reducing the morbidity and mortality of vaccine-preventable diseases is prioritised in the New Zealand Health Strategy (2000) and the Primary Health Care Strategy (2001). It is also a key component in the National Immunisation Programme, and is a Health Target.

In considering how to improve immunisation rates in New Zealand the Expert Advisory Group (EAG) has endorsed several major change themes:

1. An “evolutionary” rather than a “revolutionary approach” to any proposed changes to the current immunisation system

2. A balance between local autonomy and central direction.

3. The responsibility and accountability for immunisation should continue to lie primarily with PHOs and General Practice

4. A review of performance in five years [2012-13]

The Framework will now be developed into an Action Plan for the sector, led by the Ministry of Health and DHBs.

Click here to download the Immunisation Service Delivery Framework document. (PDF, 127KB)