Media Release
 
Date: Friday 3 May 2013
 
Waikato Kids All-Smiles Following World Immunisation Week

 

Caption: Waikato DHB’s director of nursing and midwifery Sue Hayward and clinical nurse coordinator Kim Hunter stand with the proud winners of Waikato DHB’s World Immunisation Week colouring competition.(L-R: First place winner Naomi Hita, director of nursing and midwifery Sue Hayward, second place winner Mark Wilson, clinical nurse coordinator Kim Hunter and third place winner Michael Neha)
 
Some kids may take-off running at the mention of World Immunisation Week, but three Waikato youngsters couldn’t be happier following the campaign period (22 – 29 April).
 
Naomi Hita, 8, Mark Wilson, 7, and Michael Neha, 6, are off to spend their Warehouse vouchers as successful candidates of a colouring competition held by Waikato DHB during World Immunisation Week.
 
The DHB and primary health care teamed up to offer the competitions at Waikato Hospital, its four other hospitals in Taumarunui, Te Kuiti, Thames and Tokoroa and 80 GP practices around the region.
 
The key message reflected in the competitions and other campaign material was to ‘protect your child on time, every time.’
 
“The competition gave Naomi something to do while sick in hospital with MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). It’s a good reminder – immunisation is important so that our kids don’t get sick and end up in here (hospital),” said Cherie Hita, mother of first place winner Naomi.
 
Medical officer of health Dr Felicity Dumble said World Immunisation Week was ultimately an opportunity to raise awareness for vaccine preventable diseases and to assert the importance of getting vaccinations on time.
 
“Getting your child vaccinated on time as per the New Zealand schedule ensures the best protection. Especially while they are particularly vulnerable to these diseases that can appear within our community at any time,” she said.
 
Dr Dumble used the recent measles and current whooping cough epidemics to illustrate the grim threat of these diseases.
 
“Unimmunised children are at greater risk of catching these serious diseases and suffering potentially life threatening complications. If a child is not immune they can also pass on the diseases to those around them; in their home, at pre-school or school.
 
“Because vaccination campaigns have been successful in reducing such epidemics we have forgotten how severe these diseases can be,” she said.
 
Immunisation awareness workshops, displays, local immunisation champions, and social media activities also featured around the country as part of the campaign.
 
Immunisation has proven to be one of the most effective medical breakthroughs in preventing diseases that used to take an enormous toll on communities. 

New Zealand children are eligible for free immunisations that protect against 12 diseases. Immunisations start at six weeks of age and parents are advised to bring their babies into their local GP clinic to receive these on time, every time.
 
For more information about immunisation call 0800 IMMUNE or visit www.immune.org.nz
 
ENDS