FAQs about the measles outbreak and vaccinations available here
PLEASE check your measles immunisation status. If you are not clear, and have no documentation it is important you get vaccinated. There is no risk having more than recommended vaccine, but it is a risk not being aware of your immune status.
The number of confirmed measles cases in NZ is now 50 nationwide.
2019 measles cases by district health board:
Auckland: 4
Counties Manukau: 1
Waikato: 12
Bay of Plenty: 2
Canterbury: 30
Otago: 1
The best way to prevent measles is to be immunised, with two free MMR vaccinations for all children at 15 months and four years. Two doses of MMR vaccine are at least 97 percent effective in preventing measles.
We do not recommend that toddlers under four get their second MMR early unless there is a clear indication for it, such as heading overseas, especially to a high-risk country (Philippines especially).
If you think you have the measles, it’s important to call before visiting your doctor to avoid spreading the virus in the waiting room. If you catch measles you're infectious from 5 days before and until 5 days after the rash appears.
Be sure to contact your medical centre before seeking your vaccination to establish they have MMR vaccines available and you meet the criteria.
The priority groups for the MMR vaccine are:
Children and young adults (age range 5 years to 28 years) who are either not immunised or who have only received one MMR dose to date.
Children 12 months to 5 years who have never received any doses of MMR.
The four-year-old MMR can be brought forward to no sooner than four weeks after the previous MMR.
Adults aged 29 - 50 years (this group only received one dose of measles vaccine).
"Measles is highly contagious and it is in everyone's best interest that people in these priority groups get vaccinated, both to protect themselves and the wider community.
Link to the Ministry of Health Measles information site
