5. Dr PAUL HUTCHISON (National—Hunua) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
What progress is the Government making in its preventative health target to increase immunisation for 2-year-olds?
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) Link to this
Next week I will be announcing the second quarter results for the Government’s six health targets, which will include a record level of immunisation for 2-year-olds being achieved. These results will confirm that immunisation coverage for children turning 2 has risen to over 88 percent. This is yet another new record in immunising our children against serious childhood diseases. The National Government has put over a billion dollars extra into health, and we are keeping the heat on the district health boards to give New Zealanders better health services for better value for money.
Dr Paul Hutchison Link to this
What progress has been made on immunising 2-year-olds from high-needs families?
I can tell the member that in the last 2 years under a National-led Government great progress has been made in advancing children’s immunisation rates for all groups. The number of immunised Māori children has jumped nearly 14 percent, to 85 percent, which is the Government’s target over 2 years. The number of immunised Pacific children has also risen 14 percent, to 91 percent of 2-year-olds. The gap between Māori and other children is the lowest it has ever been for immunisation. This Government is serious about health promotion and disease prevention.
GRANT ROBERTSONHow does the Minister reconcile that last answer with the statement from the Auckland District Health Board that Māori intervention rates for immunisation had not improved at all?
Because it is simply incorrect. We now have the lowest gap ever between Māori and non-Māori in immunisation rates. The party opposite promised to close the gaps, and just made it worse. We are using the money we are investing to deliver for all New Zealanders.
I seek leave to table the minutes of the Auckland District Health Board meeting held on Wednesday, 2 February 2011, which note that Māori intervention rates had not improved.
Mr SPEAKER