A joint initiative between Bay of Plenty health authorities has been recognised for increasing immunisation coverage for babies and young children.
Bay of Plenty District Health Board, the Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation, general practitioners, and practice nurses, supported by the Ministry of Health helped increase immunisation rates by 5 per cent over six months in 2013.
States Services Commissioner Iain Rennie today recognised the collaborative efforts.
Figures showed about 91 per cent of 8-month-old babies having completed their scheduled vaccines by December 2013, Mr Rennie said.
The target set by the Government is 95 per cent.
"These results are a credit to the hard work of general practice teams, Well Child providers, community outreach teams, midwives, district health board staff and the national immunisation programme team, all working together," Mr Rennie said.