For older people and frail people, the long-term benefit of medicines reduces and the potential for harm from adverse effects increases. When the benefit–risk balance changes in this way, medicine review and optimisation are important to simplify the therapeutic regimen, reduce inappropriate medicines and minimise risks. In this article, pharmacist prescriber Linda Bryant uses two case studies to illustrate important considerations during medicine reviews
Infant immunisation schedule protects tamariki from birth onwards
Infant immunisation schedule protects tamariki from birth onwards

As we continue to strive towards protecting Aotearoa against vaccine-preventable diseases, it is important to support confident and capable vaccinators in the community. This article helps by outlining the National Immunisation Schedule for infants under two years
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa
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1. McIntyre PB, Best E, Byrnes CA, et al. Pertussis deaths in New Zealand without community transmission–an infant immunity gap? Lancet Reg Health West Pac 2023;37:100850.
2. Health New Zealand. Immunisation Handbook 2024, version 5. 25 September 2024.
3. Health New Zealand. Measles. 25 September 2024.
4. Walls T, Cho V, Martin N, et al. Vaccine impact on long-term trends in invasive bacterial disease in New Zealand children. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2018;37(10):1041–47.
5. ESR. Invasive Meningococcal Disease Monthly Report, July 2024.
6. Health New Zealand. Immunisation coverage. 27 September 2024.