[ElizabethD]

I have been on the phone with the public health nurse, the health department and all the way up to the Ministry of Health and it's true. They will no longer be providing the menB shots to any children over five.

The men b shot will be part of the immunization schedule for all new babies and all kids under five. But my kids (8 and 11) will not be given the shot and there is no way for me to get them the vaccine. (the vaccine was developed in NZ and is not for sale) Martin Bonn at the Ministry of Health said they believed the epidempic was under control and they decided the new policy would go into effect Jan 1 (the day I arrived here)

All the public health people iI spoke with in the various government offices nurses, doctors etc all urged me to contact Dr. Allison Roberts at the Ministry of Health to ask what she is thinking about making this decision. I was even told that the public health officials are currently debating the "immigrant question" and they may change their mind on the policy.

When you get to NZ you will see posters all over the place about this deadly illness and how you should get your children immunized. Immigrant children should not be endangered while bureaucrats debate policy $$$$

www.moh.govt.nz

Please contact Dr. Allison Roberts

[seattle]

Hi- we couldnt get this immunization in the U.S. (at least in our area on the west coast) either as they typically don't give them to kids until they are heading off to university around age 17 or 18. In Europe- where we have been living for the past year, this immunization is available to younger children but they leave it up to the parents (there was a big push here a few years back apparently due to some outbreaks). My oldest daughter got meningitis after having her tonsils/adnoids removed a few years back (luckily we caught it early and it was partially treated since she was on antibiotics for the tonsil surgery) so she had no major damage. (but scary though). I have mixed feelings about this immunization especially after reading the side affects. So far we haven't taken advantage of getting these for our daughters...maybe we should before coming to NZ...

[Oregonkiwi]

Hi- we couldnt get this immunization in the U.S.

The immunization that ElizabethD is referring to is only available in NZ

see here:
http://www.immunise.moh.govt.nz/about/

and search the forum, we've discussed it a lot

[K&CS]

I thought this immunisation had been used in Norway first and then New Zealand second as they are similar sized countries and were both seen as being good guinea pig nations to try a shot on that hadn't really been tested properly. There was a really scary documentary about this a few months ago (terrible side effects etc). I doubt I would have vaccinated them if I'd seen it first. I don't believe everything I see or hear by any means but the girls were really unwell after it and my friend's little boy was so ill after it that he had to be rushed to ER and they were concerned he wouldn't make it.