The Bay of Plenty has one of the lowest rates of child immunisation in New Zealand, according to Toi Te Ora Public Health Service's Dr Jim Miller, who says it is important for children to get immunised from six weeks of age.

'Immunisation is the best way of protecting your child from very serious illnesses such as whooping cough, hepatitis and polio,” says Jim.

'Kids in the Bay of Plenty area are being put at unnecessary risk when immunisation is delayed.”

Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service is embarking on a public awareness campaign in order to help parents to realise how critical immunisation is for their child's health.

'Because of the low level of immunisation in the Bay of Plenty, our community immunity is reduced as well.

'Those of us who remember or have read about the devastating effects of polio and diphtheria would never want to see a return of these diseases, so it's really important we keep informing parents about having their babies immunised as recommended.”