The primary childhood immunisation programme provides for the immunisation of children under the age of two years against a number of serious infectious diseases including diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib disease, measles mumps and rubella. The present arrangements were introduced in 1995 and involve general practitioners entering into a contract with their local health board for the delivery of the programme. Parents may have their children immunised free of charge by the doctor of their choice. The operation of the programme is a matter in the first instance for the individual health boards.
Information provided by the health boards indicates that the immunisation uptake rates for children at two years of age, by health board, at 31 December 1999 are as follows: