Good results for Canterbury in Menzb Campaign

Results of the recently completed Meningococcal B Immunisation Programme have revealed that the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) achieved one of the highest rates of vaccination in the country for six week to eleven-month-old babies.

A total of 94.9 cent of babies received the first dose of the vaccine.

Not all six week to 11 month olds were eligible by age to receive dose two and three. Taking this into account, the Ministry of Health adjusted targets for this group. In Canterbury, 56.4% received dose three, which was one of the highest rates among the DHBs.

Rayoni Keith, CDHB manager of the Meningococcal B programme in Canterbury said, "Primary Health Organisations (PHOs), general practice teams and well child providers are to be acknowledged and applauded for their tireless efforts and energies during this campaign, in reaching these rates".

"Similarly, the ongoing efforts by primary care have also resulted in the 1-4 year old rates of vaccination consistently being greater than 80 per cent with 87.2 per cent having received dose one and 81.6 per cent having received dose three." This compares with 88% for dose one and 75.5% for dose three nationally.

In the 5-17 year old age group, 89.2 per cent of young people received dose one and 86.1 per cent received dose three. Ms Keith said the drop off rate in this group was very low and that "public health nurses did an incredible job of rounding up children in their schools – no easy task, when out of school activities, school holidays and sick leave are taken into account".

This was achieved in a six month period, a narrow time band when compared with other DHBs. The immunisation programme began in most DHBs in 2005, with Canterbury DHB being one of the last to start. DHBs with a greater incidence of disease were able to begin the programme earlier.

Ms Keith said Maori and Pacific families are to be highly praised for their contribution to the high rates of vaccination for young Maori and Pacific people in the 5-17 year old age group. Local Pacific rates for dose three are 98.2 per cent and for Maori 83.9 per cent.

Despite ongoing encouragement from general practice teams, universities and Canterbury PHOs, Ms Keith said the programme proved very challenging to deliver to 18 and 19 year olds. Just 47.5 per cent of people in this aged group completed the programme in Canterbury. The national figure for this group is 53.3%

Overall in Canterbury, 85 per cent of the eligible population received dose one and 79.3 per cent received dose three of the vaccine. Of the 85 per cent who started the programme, 93 per cent or 99,093 children and young people have completed three doses in Canterbury. This is slightly higher than the national average of 92 per cent.

Individuals who have started the immunisation programme can still receive free outstanding vaccinations until 31 December 2006. The programme will continue for under five year olds, until the Ministry of Health decides the programme is no longer needed.