The Whanganui District Health Board (WDHB) is urging parents to embrace World Immunisation Week (April 28-May 2) by checking that they and their family are up-to-date with vaccines.
WDHB communicable disease and immunisation coordinator Karen Howard said it was for children to complete their full course of vaccines to protect
them against preventable diseases such as measles, and to receive their immunisations when they are due.
"Because children's immune systems have not had much exposure to illness, they are very vulnerable to serious diseases. It's almost like your children are being provided with their own personal 'bodyguard' against serious threats from illnesses such as measles, pneumococcal disease and whooping cough,"said Ms Howard.
The immunisation schedule in New Zealand provides vaccines at six weeks, three months, five months, 15 months and at the age of 4 and 11.
Girls can also receive a course of the HPV vaccine to provide protection against cervical and other HPV-related cancers, as well as genital warts. This vaccine is available for Year 8 girls at school, or free from a girl's GP till her 18th birthday.
