The largest vaccination programme ever attempted in Northland begins in just over a week.
Thousands of letters asking parents and caregivers to make appointments for their under five-year-olds to be vaccinated against meningococcal B have been sent out around the region over the past week.
Northland is a high risk area for meningococcal B.
Twenty-two people have been diagnosed with the disease in the region so far this year and since 1991, 320 people have had the disease and 12 have died.
The massive vaccination project starts on November 22, when about 11,000 Northland pre-schoolers aged from six months to five years are scheduled to receive the first of three meningococcal B vaccinations through GP practices. There will be a six-week gap between each jab.
They will be followed by around 30,000 schoolchildren who will be vaccinated in schools from the start of the second term in May through to October.
The mass vaccination is part of the $200 million Government project to immunise everyone under the age of 20 against the deadly disease which has gripped New Zealand for more than 10 years.
Northland is the second area in the country to get the vaccine. The programme, which is to be rolled out across the country, started in Counties-Manukau in July.
Maori and Pacific Island people are most affected by the disease and our Maori health providers are preparing for the challenge of reaching children in the most far-flung corners of Northland.
Northland Health is aiming for a 90 percent uptake of a new meningitis vaccine, with a special focus on getting the inoculation to Maori.
Iwi health providers are seen as pivotal to the programme's success in Northland.
Northland Health project manager Jacqui Westren said vaccination was the most effective way to combat the disease.
"Our goal is to make sure that at least 90 percent of our young ones are protected from this disease which has already touched the lives of so many of our families. We must all do what we can to end this horrific epidemic."
Over the next eight days the Northern Advocate will tell you everything you need to know about the vaccine and meningitis.
If you have any concerns or questions about the vaccination programme let us know and we will pass them on to the Northland Medical Officer of Health to answer.
You can send your queries to The Northern Advocate, PO Box 210, Whangarei, email them to reporters@northernadvocate.co.nz or fax to 430 5665.
We will print the questions and answers in the paper.
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