Immunising Children During COVID-19

Key points about immunising your child during COVID-19

• as a parent, you'd do everything to protect your tamariki
• keep up with your child's free immunisations, due at 6 weeks, 3 months, 5 months, 12 months, 15 months and 4 years
• immunising your tamariki at the recommended times is the best way to protect them against serious diseases
• delaying your child's immunisations can put them at greater risk of serious disease
• immunise during each pregnancy to protect you and baby against whooping cough and influenza
• immunisation is safe during the COVID-19 pandemic
• ask your doctor, nurse or Māori healthcare provider how you can immunise safely

How can I protect my whānau during COVID-19?

Immunisation is one of the best ways to protect against serious diseases like whooping cough and measles.

Immunisation during pregnancy protects your pēpi when they are born. It also protects you, during pregnancy, against whooping cough and influenza.

Your child's free, routine immunisations are due at 6 weeks, 3 months, 5 months, 12 months, 15 months and 4 years, and are more important than ever.

Delaying immunisation puts your child at greater risk of serious diseases, particularly whooping cough and measles.

Watch some short videos about protecting your child from serious diseases

How can I immunise my child safely during COVID-19?

When booking your child's immunisation appointment, call your doctor or nurse ahead of time. They can explain how they will keep you and your whānau safe while immunising. All healthcare services have procedures in place to make immunisation safe, for example:

• setting aside a special day or time for immunisations
• spacing appointments out so there's no overlap between patients
• cleaning appointment rooms thoroughly between patients
• setting aside a separate area for immunisations

Let your doctor or nurse know if you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19

Before seeing your doctor or nurse, you might need to answer a few questions about your family's general health. If you think you or a member of your whānau have been exposed to COVID-19, it's important to let your doctor or nurse know.

If you, your child or a member of your whānau is feeling sick talk to your doctor or nurse. They can let you know the best time for your child's immunisation. After your child's immunisation, you may need to wait for a short time. This is a safety measure to make sure that medical treatment is available in the rare case that an allergic reaction occurs.

Protect your whānau - immunise on time.

Immunisation is recommended and safe during COVID-19. Talk to your doctor, nurse or healthcare professional about how they can immunise safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.