Perfect protection score

Staff at a Putaruru-based medical centre have immunised 100 per cent of their eligible eight-month-old and two-year-old patients.

The national immunisation target is 90 per cent for eight-month-olds.

Four nurses at the Putaruru-Tirau Family Doctors medical centre smashed the target, getting a ‘‘ perfect’’ score last quarter.

‘‘I’m very proud of my staff,’’ practice manager Trish Cole said.

‘‘They work really hard and have made it a priority to ensure our local children get immunised on time.’’

Cole said the medical centre, which belongs to Hauraki Primary Health Organisation, has a strong recall policy.

Designated staff send recall letters out and phone patients reminding them about immunisations.

‘‘If patients can’t make it into the practice, they are referred to Out- reach who will visit them at home,’’ she said,

‘‘ But we always prefer it if patients do come into the practice, so we can make sure everything else is okay health-wise.’’

Opportunistic vaccination has also contributed to the practice’s success in reaching the target.

‘‘When a family comes in with one sick child, nurses will check the records of all the children in the family.

‘‘This way staff can identify if a child has an upcoming immunisation, and will do it there and then,’’ Cole said.

Putaruru-Tirau Family Doctors is all ready for the flu immunisation season ahead and have set up a lunchtime clinic where they are already getting a good response – particularly from the older members of the community, she said.