Babies will soon be immunised against a type of meningitis that kills about 10 under-fives each year and leaves dozens more permanently disabled.
Health Minister Pete Hodgson has confirmed the National Immunisation Schedule for 2008. It includes the pneumococcal vaccine Prevenar for all babies born from January 1.
The acting manager of the National Immunisation Programme, Dr Alison Roberts, said all babies would now have free access to immunisations protecting against 11 serious diseases.
"A baby's immune system responds very well to multiple vaccines at one visit," she said.
"The ministry's advice is that it is safe and effective."
