Urgent and widespread changes to our childhood immunisation system are needed to protect Maori children from fatal infectious diseases

That's according to an official report obtained by the Herald.

Prepared by experts from the four northernmost DHBs in July, the report blames a host of problems, including an overburdened workforce and racial bias, for plummeting jab rates and inequities in coverage.

It says business as usual is not enough to remedy or impact the current situation, with immediate and intentional disruption of the programme required to have any impact.