Premature babies
Premature and low birthweight babies should receive their immunisations starting at 6 weeks old – regardless of how premature they were.
If your baby is in hospital when their immunisations are due, they will be vaccinated by the hospital team.
Do not delay vaccinations as your pēpi is at higher risk from disease, so immunising on time is really important.
It may be recommended by your doctor that your pēpi has some additional vaccines including:
Free meningococcal B immunisation
On 1 March 2023, the meningococcal B vaccine was added to the National Immunisation Schedule. It’s free for babies at 3 months, 5 months, and 12 months.
Many tamariki under 5 would not have had their 3 doses, so a free catch-up programme is available until 31 August 2025 for tamariki under 5 years old.
Talk to your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider about immunisation.
Extra vaccines not on the schedule for babies and toddlers
If your baby has an ongoing medical condition, ask your doctor, nurse or vaccinator what extra free immunisations they may need.
If they are not eligible for extra free immunisations, they may still be able to get immunised. Talk to your doctor or nurse about whether protection is a good idea for your tamariki and what it would cost.
Additional vaccinations may also be recommended if you’re travelling overseas. There is a cost for these.
Extra vaccines for tamariki and whānau
Why some vaccines are on the schedule more than once
To be fully protected your tamariki sometimes need more than 1 dose of a vaccine.
When they’re first vaccinated, their body learns how to fight off a particular bacteria or virus. Their second (and sometimes third or fourth) dose boosts their immune system so they will have stronger, and longer-lasting, protection.
Different vaccines protect for different lengths of time. Your child will sometimes need a booster vaccination to strengthen their immunity.