Vaccines stimulate the immune system to protect the body from diseases. This process is known as immunisation.
These following is a list of vaccine preventable diseases. These diseases can cause serious, and sometimes fatal, complications. Vaccination is the best protection against them. Vaccination may not always stop the disease, but it can reduce the severity of the disease and the risk of getting complications. Click on the following links for more information about each disease.
| Standard childhood vaccinations | Targeted vaccines |
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Available free to all children and young people (some have age limits). |
Available free to certain high-risk groups, but other people can purchase these vaccines through their GP if they want them. |
Learn more
Diseases The Immunisation Advisory Centre, NZ
Diseases and vaccines Ministry of Health, NZ