Measles information for Health Professionals

Measles Update - 09 December

Dear Practices,

I am pleased to advise that practices can now order MMR vaccine through Propharma again.

This is return to business as usual for MMR ordering.

Thank you.

Stephen Graham
Medical Director
WellSouth

Priority Groups

GPs are reminded to recall any patients, under 18 years of age, that need a booster in order to be fully vaccinated (with two MMR vaccines).

The normal Immunisation Schedule should continue to be followed: MMR 1 at 15 months and MMR 2 at 4 years old.

Babies younger than 15 months can have an MMR 0 from 6 months if they are travelling to Auckland or to overseas countries experiencing measles outbreaks.

Travel advice

Given the outbreaks of measles in Samoa, Tonga, Philippines and Fiji, the Ministry of Health is asking primary care providers to ensure vaccinations are up-to-date for any individual (aged 50 and under) who indicates they will be travelling to one of these areas, or any country that has an active outbreak of measles. Outbreak regions can be found at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/measles-global.

We also recommend infants aged six to 11 months travelling to an outbreak area have one dose of MMR. Please remember that any child vaccinated before 12 months of age will still need two further doses of MMR.

All people need to be vaccinated at least two weeks before travel.

There is no active recall for people outside of the priority groups at this time.

ENDS

Click here for the latest media releases about the measles from Southern DHB