Measles information from Regional Public Health, Wellington

For latest update visit our measles page.

• Public Health Alert sent to primary care, pharmacies, after hours centres and emergency departments 08 May 2019
• Further information (FAQs) sent to schools and early childhood centres 19 March 2019
• Information sent to Early Childhood Centres 14 March 2019
• Information sent to primary, intermediate and secondary schools 14 March 2019

Note: measles immunisation is free.

Background

There is a large and ongoing outbreak of measles in Christchurch. Auckland, Bay of Plenty, and Dunedin have now also reported measles cases.

Be prepared

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine, given on-time, is the best way to prevent measles. It is available free in New Zealand to people born on/after 1 January 1969 and two doses of the MMR vaccine is 99% effective in preventing measles.

• Children: parents should check their children's Plunket or Well Child/Tamariki Ora book to confirm they are protected. See above FAQs
• Adults: if unsure if you're protected, check your personal health records e.g. your Plunket or Well Child/Tamariki Ora book. See above FAQs 
• Phone your local medical centre to arrange to be immunised if not protected.
• Don’t delay: it takes 14 days to develop protection after immunisation.

More information

• Regional Public Health
• Ministry of Health
• Immunisation Advisory Centre 0800 IMMUNE