Publication

Exploring immunisation inequities among migrants and refugee children in New Zealand

Authored by:

Charania NA, Paynter J, Lee AC et al

Full Citation:

Charania NA, Paynter J, Lee AC et al 2018. Exploring immunisation inequities among migrants and refugee children in New Zealand. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. 14.

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Additional key concepts from this publication:

Children from families that have migrated from other parts of the country have less access to health services and lower vaccination rates than the general population.

Key Evidence: Less than half of foreign-born children in New Zealand had immunization records in the National Immunization Register (compared to 95-96% of New Zealand-born children of migrant or non-migrant mothers), and those with records had considerably lower age-appropriate vaccination rates than locally-born children (e.g., 69% for MMR vs. 82-83% for locally-born and 53% for pertussis vs. 78-81%), with refugee children having especially low rates. These findings point to challenges in recording vaccinations given overseas and in reaching migrant children with immunization services, as well as the importance of monitoring vaccination coverage by migrant and refugee background.

Inequities exist in marginalized populations and minority groups who may have poorer access to health services, including immunizations.

Key Evidence: Children of Maori and Pacific Island ethnicities in New Zealand had lower rates of age-appropriate vaccination than other ethnic groups, according to a large retrospective study.