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On this page
- Lots of vaccines are free
- National Immunisation Schedule
- Get a personalised immunisation schedule
- Extra immunisations
- Why some vaccines are available more than once
- Some vaccines protect against more than 1 disease in a single vaccine
- Each vaccination on the schedule is timed for the best immune response and protection
- If an immunisation has been missed
National Immunisation Schedule
Free immunisations during pregnancy
You can get 3 immunisations which will help protect you and your pēpi (baby).
- Flu (internal link) 1 dose for every pregnancy, at any stage.
- Tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough (internal link) 1 dose recommended from 16 weeks of each pregnancy.
- COVID-19 (internal link) If you are not up to date, you can get a free COVID-19 vaccine at any stage of your pregnancy.
6-week immunisations
Your pēpi gets 3 immunisations.
- Rotavirus (internal link) — an oral vaccine, given as liquid drops in the mouth (dose 1 of 2).
- Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hep B and Hib (internal link) (dose 1 of 3).
- Pneumococcal (internal link) (dose 1 of 3).
3-month immunisations
Your pēpi gets 3 immunisations.
- Rotavirus (internal link) — an oral vaccine, given as liquid drops in the mouth (dose 2 of 2).
- Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hep B and Hib (internal link) (dose 2 of 3).
- Meningococcal B (internal link) (dose 1 of 3).
5-month immunisations
Your pēpi gets 3 immunisations.
- Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hep B and Hib (internal link) (dose 3 of 3).
- Pneumococcal (internal link) (dose 2 of 3).
- Meningococcal B (internal link) (dose 2 of 3).
6-month immunisations
When your pēpi turns 6 months old, it is recommended they get flu immunisation every year.
- Flu (internal link) — single dose annually. If they have not had a flu vaccine before, and they are under 9 years old, 2 doses, 4 weeks apart are needed.
12-month immunisations
Your pēpi gets 3 immunisations.
- Measles, mumps and rubella (internal link) (dose 1 of 2).
- Pneumococcal (internal link) (dose 3 of 3).
- Meningococcal B (internal link) (dose 3 of 3).
15-month immunisations
Your pēpi gets 3 immunisations.
- Hib (internal link) (booster dose).
- Measles, mumps and rubella (internal link) (dose 2 of 2).
- Chickenpox (internal link) (single dose).
4-year immunisations
From age 9 immunisations
- HPV (internal link) (2 doses, given at least 6 months apart)
From age 11 immunisations
- Tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough (internal link) (booster dose).
45-year immunisations
- Tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough (internal link) (booster dose)
65-year immunisations
- Tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough (internal link) (booster dose).
- Shingles (internal link) — 2 doses, given 2 to 6 months apart.
- Flu (internal link) — free dose available every year.
Get a personalised immunisation schedule
Based on the National Immunisation Schedule, this handy tool shows what immunisations your child needs from 6 weeks to 13 years, and the dates due. It does not look at your child's medical records, so your child may have had some vaccines already.
Use this as a general guide, and be aware that dates may vary depending on previous vaccination dates, or other clinical circumstances. Always consult your usual doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider about your child's vaccinations.
Extra immunisations
Extra immunisations may be available for you or your tamariki. This includes free immunisations for those at high risk — including those in certain close-living situations.
Additional vaccines are available for extra protection and for overseas travel but there will be a charge for these.
Why some vaccines are available more than once
To be fully protected you sometimes need more than 1 dose of a vaccine.
When you are first vaccinated, your body learns how to fight off a particular bacteria or virus. Your second (and sometimes third or fourth) dose boosts your immune system so you will have stronger, and longer-lasting, protection.
Different vaccines protect you for different lengths of time. You sometimes need a booster vaccination to strengthen your immunity.
Some vaccines protect against more than 1 disease in a single vaccine
Some vaccines provide protection against more than 1 disease in a single vaccine. For example, the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is just 1 injection. This means fewer vaccination appointments and fewer injections.
It is not always possible to have a different vaccine if you want protection against only one of the diseases. Your immune system is used to dealing with thousands of viruses and bacteria every day — there are no safety concerns with having multiple vaccines at the same time.
Each vaccination on the schedule is timed for the best immune response and protection
The schedule is deliberately spaced to boost your child’s immunity. For the best protection against disease, immunise your tamariki at the recommended times. Not getting them immunised on time puts tamariki at greater risk of getting a serious disease.
If an immunisation has been missed
If any immunisations have been missed, it is okay. You can catch up on most immunisations. For advice, talk to your doctor, nurse, or trusted healthcare professional.
Catching up on missed immunisations (internal link)
If you are unsure which immunisations you have had you can:
- talk to your doctor, nurse, or trusted healthcare professional
- check your Well Child Tamariki Ora My Health Book (previously called Plunket Book), if you still have it
- log in to My Health Record to view immunisation records for yourself and your tamariki aged under 12.
My Health Record — Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (internal link)