Lots of vaccines are free

  • For tamariki under 18, all immunisations on the National Immunisation Schedule are free, no matter what your visa or citizenship status is. This includes visitors to Aotearoa New Zealand.
  • Lots of vaccines are also free for adults, including measles. Some you have to pay for if you do not meet certain criteria.
  • If you are pregnant the whooping cough and flu vaccines are free.

You may need to pay for extra vaccines that are not on the schedule, like travel vaccines. Check with your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider when booking an immunisation if there is a cost.

Extra immunisations for tamariki and adults (internal link)

National Immunisation Schedule


Free immunisations during pregnancy

You can get 3 immunisations which will help protect you and your pēpi (baby).


6-week immunisations

Your pēpi gets 3 immunisations.


3-month immunisations

Your pēpi gets 3 immunisations.


5-month immunisations


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.


15-month immunisations

Your pēpi gets 3 immunisations.



From age 9 immunisations


From age 11 immunisations


45-year immunisations


65-year immunisations


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.

Extra immunisations for tamariki and adults (internal link)


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.

Booking an immunisation appointment (internal link)


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)