COVID-19 had a significant impact on lives in Aotearoa New Zealand, and presented unique challenges for ethnic communities.

The Ministry for Ethnic Communities partnered with Manatū Hauora - Minsitry of Health to both educate and vaccinate throughout the pandemic. To further support our communities, we are releasing a series of videos to increase awareness of the available health services you can access.

In this video, we will share general information about healthcare for our children.

It’s important for children to maintain a healthy lifestyle and nurture good immunity while they’re growing up. 

While children generally have a stronger immunity, children aged 5+ are still encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine to help fight the spread of the virus in our communities. To continue to keep our children safe and protected, it’s important they keep up to date with their other vaccinations.

Children can easily spread germs and viruses in schools and early childhood education centres, so it’s important to stay healthy and it’s just as important to keep up to date with these vaccinations, because this will help your child to develop stronger immunity and give them the best start to a healthy life. It also stops disease spreading within your family and the community.

Vaccinations are free in Aotearoa New Zealand for children under 18 years of age regardless of residency, and the Ministry of Health asks that children stay up to date with their vaccinations.

Children are due routine vaccinations at 6 weeks, 3 months, 5 months, 12 months, 15 months, 4 years and 11-12 year-olds. If you have missed any vaccinations due at these ages, contact your doctor who can help get your child’s immunisations up to date.

Doctor visits for children under 14 years old are free; so you can take your child to the GP for vaccinations, regular checks, as well as any other health issues they might have, any time.

For any other health needs call Healthline on 0800 611 116. Interpreting services will be available if you need them.