Protect yourself, your whānau, and your community

Immunisations save lives

Immunisation saves lives. As well as protecting yourself from dangerous diseases, getting your tamariki vaccinated is one of the best ways to set them up for a healthy future.

Lots of vaccines in New Zealand are free:

For children under 18, all vaccinations on the National Immunisation Schedule are free – it does not matter what their 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’re 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.

National Immunisation Schedule

In Aotearoa New Zealand we have a National Immunisation Schedule. This outlines the free vaccines offered to babies, tamariki, teenagers and adults and the best time to get them vaccinated.

For children under 18, all vaccinations on the National Immunisation Schedule are free – it does not matter what their 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’re 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.

View the National Immunisation Schedule

Create your child's personalised schedule

Immunisation information in NZSL

New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) information covering what a vaccine is, when to get them, which vaccines are free, how to book, planning for your appointment, and what to expect on that day and after your immunisation.

Watch NZSL immunisation information video

What vaccinations are available?

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)

Aotearoa New Zealand is at a very high risk of a measles outbreak. The MMR vaccine is free for all children in NZ, and all adults born after 1969 if they're eligible for free healthcare.

Find out more about the MMR vaccine

Whooping cough (pertussis)

Whooping cough can be very serious – especially for babies under 12 months old. To protect pēpi (babies), a vaccination should be given from 16 weeks of every pregnancy. Then pēpi need 3 doses when they are 6 weeks, 3 months and 5 months old. Booster doses are also given at 4, 11, 45, and 65 years old.

Find out more about the flu vaccine

Flu (influenza)

It’s recommended all tamariki from 6 months old and their whānau get flu vaccination every year. It’s free for tamariki aged 6 months to 12 years old, if you’re pregnant, over 65s, and for lots of other people.

Find out more about the flu vaccine

Meningococcal

The MenB vaccine was added to the National Immunisation Schedule for babies on 1 March 2023. All tamariki under 5 years old can catch up for free. There are also other meningococcal vaccines available for rangatahi (young people) 13 to 25 years old in certain close-living situations.

Find out more about the Meningococal vaccine

Covid-19

To keep your immunity levels high, stay up to date with your vaccinations — including boosters. This will lower your chances of getting very sick from COVID-19 and ending up in hospital.

Having COVID-19 does not provide the same level of immunity as getting vaccinated. We also know that your protection from the primary course (this is usually 2 doses) of the vaccine decreases over time. Vaccinations are available at clinics, GPs and pharmacies throughout our region.

Find out more about Covid-19 booster vaccines and eligibility.

Find a clinic that accepts walk-ins or book through Book My Vaccine.

Booking an immunisation appointment

Find out where you can get immunised, how to book an appointment, and what to do if your child is not enrolled with a doctor.

Contact your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider to book a vaccination appointment. Some vaccinations are also available through pharmacies, school programmes, Māori and Pacific health providers, and vaccination events.

More information about vaccination appointments