Protect against measles
Are you and your whānau immunised against measles?
One sad example of why it is important to protect yourself and your whānau from catching measles is the 2019/2020 outbreak.
In late 2019 a measles outbreak in Auckland resulted in more than 2,000 people becoming infected with the disease. More than 700 people became so unwell they needed to be hospitalised.
The outbreak spread to Samoa where, due to low immunisation rates, more than 5,700 people became infected. Sadly, 83 people in Samoa died from measles, most of them children and babies.
Now that our borders are open to international visitors again, there is more chance of another serious local outbreak.
If you were born after 1969, you may not have had both doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Measles is more contagious than COVID-19
We learned from the 2019 outbreak that many people aged between 15 and 30 years are not protected against measles. This is because they did not get both, or any, of the two necessary vaccines as part of the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule.
And we know that measles is much more contagious than COVID-19 which means that it can easily spread in groups of people that do not have protection against it.
Getting vaccinated is easy and free
The safest way to be protected against measles is by vaccination with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
For tamariki
Tamariki should get their free measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at 12 months and 15-months-old. They need two doses to give them the best protection. Talk to your Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse today.
For rangatahi and adults
The MMR vaccine is available free to people born on or after 1 January 1969. It is available from:
your GP (phone first if you have measles symptoms)
the Te Piki Oranga immunisation outreach service. Freephone us 0800 ORANGA (0800 672 642)
Bring your mates and get up-to-date: You will receive a gift voucher each when you register for your vaccine!
How do I know if I have been immunised as a child, or are immune already?
You are immune to measles if you can say ‘yes’ to one of the following:
were born before 1 January 1969
have had measles before
have had two MMR vaccinations, and the last vaccination was more than a month ago. Pēpi under 15 months are immune if they have had their first vaccination, at least a month ago.
have had a blood test showing you are immune
To find out if you and your whānau are immune, check your WellChild Tamariki Ora (Plunket) book or contact your doctor.
If you are still not sure whether you have been vaccinated, it is safe to get the MMR vaccine again.
Where can find information about the vaccine?
Talk to a healthcare professional such as a nurse or GP (family doctor)
Talk to one of our Well Child Tamariki Ora nurses about tamariki vaccinations
The Health Navigator website has a lot of good information about measles and the MMR vaccine.
Resources
Te PIki Oranga factsheet (PDF download, print or share)
