Hitting the target without missing the point: New Zealand’s immunisation health target for two year olds
The use of health targets as a form of performance measurement has become more prominent internationally as governments have sought to control public expenditure, produce greater efficiency and improve accountability. However, health targets have faced criticism for their potential
to produce negative outcomes within a health system. This paper examines how a health target was used as a policy instrument within the New Zealand health system to improve immunisation coverage at two years of age. It explores how the immunisation health target was implemented within four
case study sites and discusses the effectiveness of the health target as a policy instrument for improving immunisation coverage and addressing persistent immunisation inequities. Measuring and monitoring performance towards the immunisation health target improved accountability for immunisation
coverage within the New Zealand health system and focused attention on improving immunisation coverage in a way that previous policy attempts had failed to do. Health targets may be an effective policy instrument for creating change within specific areas of a health system if their potential
for dysfunctional consequences are taken into consideration at the outset.
Keywords: Performance measurement; accountability; health systems; policy instrument; targets
Document Type: Research Article
Affiliations: Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Publication date: 01 November 2016
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