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Birth order and infant health: evidence from maternal immunisation in New Zealand

Author

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  • Thomas Schober

    (Auckland University of Technology)

Abstract

Immunisation during pregnancy is a vital strategy to protect infants from infectious diseases in their first months of life. Drawing on administrative data from New Zealand, I analyse the relationship between birth order, maternal vaccination against pertussis and influenza, and subsequent infant hospitalisations caused by these diseases. The findings show that later-born children experience higher hospitalisation rates, likely because of increased exposure to infectious diseases through older siblings. At the same time, maternal vaccination rates decline with each pregnancy, leaving those who would benefit most from maternal immunisation the least likely to receive it.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Schober, 2026. "Birth order and infant health: evidence from maternal immunisation in New Zealand," Working Papers 2026-01, Auckland University of Technology, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:aut:wpaper:2026-01
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    File URL: https://www.aut.ac.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1089141/working-paper-26-01.pdf
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models

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