Renewed push to promote MMR vaccine and reduce risk of measles outbreak
Southern DHB is encouraging people to check they are up-to-date with their vaccinations for measles mumps and rubella (MMR), as low immunisation rates and reopening international borders increase the chances of a measles outbreak.
There is a national push to get more people vaccinated against measles, a serious and highly contagious disease that would put additional pressure on a health system already contending with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As countries around the world respond to COVID-19, many MMR immunisation programmes have been paused,” says Deborah Kay-Corkin, Southern DHB’s Measles Campaign Coordinator. “Now that New Zealand’s borders are opening up, international travel puts us at increased risk of a measles outbreak.”
In Southern towns and cities there were 72 cases of measles in 2019, among more than 2,000 cases New Zealand-wide.
“Two doses of the MMR vaccine will protect 99% of people against measles,” says Mrs Kay-Corkin. “We can stop outbreaks of measles if enough people have their MMR vaccination.”
People can check their Plunket or WellChild books, or ask their doctors to find out whether they have received the two MMR doses required to be fully immunised. If they don’t know for sure, it is best to play it safe and get the vaccine.
“There are no additional safety concerns with having additional MMR doses, and you can also safely have your MMR vaccine at the same time as your COVID-19 vaccine,” says Deborah Kay-Corkin.
As well as being available through GPs, MMR vaccines are available at many Southern pharmacies on a walk-in basis – but there has been little uptake of this service to date.
The pharmacist and owner of Dunedin’s Unichem Knox Pharmacy, Nicola Wild, is delighted to be delivering the MMR vaccine – and she’ll be rolling up her sleeves herself to receive the jab this afternoon.
“I’ve been unable to find out whether I ever received a second dose of the MMR vaccine, so I’ll be having a top-up dose today to ensure I’m protected from measles,” she says. “I encourage anyone in Dunedin who hasn’t received two doses of the MMR vaccine to drop in to Knox Pharmacy and get immunised to protect yourself and your community.”
There are also plans to roll out the MMR vaccine programme to mass vaccination clinics across the Southern district in the coming weeks.
To find out more about the MMR vaccine, visit ProtectAgainstMeasles.org.nz or call Healthline on 0800 611 116.
Photo opportunity:
Media are invited to attend as pharmacist and owner of Knox Pharmacy, Nicola Wild, gets her MMR vaccine today.
When: 2.30pm, Monday 14 March
Where: Unichem Knox Pharmacy, 402 George Street, Dunedin.
For more information, please contact:
Emma Wood
Communications and Engagement, MMR
021 706 608
emma.wood@southerndhb.govt.nz