Resources

As health authorities here and abroad voice concern about the prospect of serious measles outbreaks, Gore residents had the opportunity to get immunised against the disease at a local walk-in community clinic at Hokonui Rūnanga this week.

Measles is a highly-contagious and potentially lethal virus – but two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine will protect 99% of people against the disease.

“Measles immunisation rates have fallen considerably in New Zealand and overseas over the past two years, as health authorities and communities have contended with the effects of COVID-19,” explains Southern DHB Measles Campaign Coordinator, Deborah Kay-Corkin. “This has created a situation the World Health Organization has described as a perfect storm with conditions ripe for serious outbreaks of measles.”

Southern DHB is encouraging people to check they are up-to-date with their MMR vaccinations ahead of New Zealand’s international borders reopening in July.

“MMR vaccines are free to anyone born in and after 1969 – those born before then are already considered immune,” says Mrs Kay-Corkin.

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 extra MMR doses, and you can also safely have your MMR vaccine at the same time as your COVID-19 or flu vaccines,” says Mrs Kay-Corkin.

During New Zealand’s last measles outbreak in 2019, Māori were four times more likely than Pākehā to be affected by the disease.

This week's clinic was led by Nadine Goldsmith, Nurse Practitioner at Awarua Whānau Services which operates walk-in clinics health care clinics across Southland. Awarua works closely with rūnanga, Māori providers, GPs, community health and social groups, and Southern DHB to help address inequities for Māori in health care.

“While that is our core focus, our walk-in clinics are always open to everyone, and we encourage anyone who needs their MMR vaccine to come and see us,” she says.

As well as free MMR vaccines, the Hokonui Rūnanga clinic also provided free flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

Members of the community can get their free MMR vaccine through their GP or at participating pharmacies – find a full list of participating pharmacies at www.southernhealth.nz/SouthernMeasles. Free MMR vaccines are also available at the mass vaccination clinics at Civic Theatre in Invercargill and at Meridian Mall in Dunedin (the Dunedin centre will be moving to the old VTNZ building on the corner of Hanover and Cumberland Streets on 30 May 2022).

Ministry of Health/Health Promotion Agency

Information on ear infections, earache and glue ear in children, including what these conditions are, how to treat them, and how to prevent them.

Order code: CHH0013

HealthEd

Dental health and care of teeth, including the importance of good diet in preventing cavities and tooth decay. Illustrated pamphlet with short captions in English.

Order code: ORH0001

Ministry of Health

Information on how noise at high decibels affects hearing, potentially causing hearing damage by destroying cells in the ear.

Order code: ENH0026

HealthEd

Advertising the importance of washing hands for 20 seconds with soap and running water, and also drying hands thoroughly.

Order code: HYG0010

Ministry of Health

Preparing you and your family for a disaster. Covers what to do before, during and after a civil emergency, and what to include in your emergency survival kit.

LIMITED SUPPLY

Code number: ENH0023

Ministry of Health

Leaflet in English and te reo Māori describing warning signs of illness in a young child - with a focus on the child's temperature, breathing, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

Can be ordered by leaflet for General Public or per pad of 25 leaflets for Health Professionals.

Order code: CHH0006

HealthEd

Cartoon characters promoting key messages on germs, infections, washing, and basic hygiene (for school use).

Order code: HYG0001

Ministry of Health

Information regarding the many things around the house that are very appealing to children and are poisonous.

LIMITED SUPPLY

Code number: ENH0003

HealthEd

This poster is for adults and promotes key messages on germs, infections, washing, and basic hygiene.

Order code: HYG0009

Ministry of Health

Information on how to keep tank water safe from contamination, including the use of water filters.

Order code: ENH0021

Ministry of Health

Information about head lice and how to treat them. Head lice (also known as 'nits', 'kutis', 'kutu bugs' or 'headlouse') are small, flat insects that live and lay eggs on the human scalp. This pamphlet contains information about head lice and their treatment.

Oder code: CHH0005

RainbowYOUTH

The I’m Local Project is run by RainbowYOUTH to help young queer, intersex & gender diverse kiwis feel supported and valued by their local communities.

Ministry of Health

The purpose of this leaflet is to alert homeowners and painting contractors to the hazards associated with removing lead-based paint.

LIMITED SUPPLY AVAILABLE

HealthEd

Under 18? No matter where you're at ... high school, training course, work or unemployed ... you can receive FREE dental care every year and give yourself something to smile about!

Order code: ORH0006

Ministry of Health

Information on garden safety and reducing risks when gardening. Covers a range of topics including legionella, tetanus, spider bites, poisonous plants, bee stings, and melanoma.

Order code: ENH0015

Ministry of Health

A cot card with key messages about making every sleep a safe sleep to prevent babies from dying suddenly in their sleep.

Order code: CHH0003

Are You OK?

A resource for LGBTI about healthy relationships and where to go for support if things go wrong.

Order code: LGB0008

Ministry of Health

Information for pregnant women to help them make an informed decision about optional screening and testing for Down syndrome and other conditions.

Order code: CHH0023

HealthEd

An explanation in English of the free basic oral health service available from birth until the eighteenth birthday, together with advice about cleaning and looking after teeth, and about healthy food for healthy teeth. It’s free, it’s easy, it’s for you!

Order code: ORH0002

Ministry of Health

Detailed information about the supply of safe drinking-water to households other than those connected to town water supplies. Includes water sources, water systems, water testing and water treatment and disinfection.

Code number: ENH0012

NZ Dental Association

It’s easy and it’s in your control. A few minutes brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste each day, and regular check-ups, can keep you smiling, talking, eating, looking good and feeling confident.

LIMITED SUPPLY

Order code: ORH0011

Ministry of Health

This pamphlet contains key messages about making every sleep a safe sleep to prevent babies from dying suddenly in their sleep.

Order code: CHH0002

Mental Health Foundation

Takatapui is a traditional Maori term meaning ‘intimate companion of the same sex.’ It has been reclaimed to embrace all Maori who identify with diverse genders and sexualities such as whakawahine, tangata ira tane, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer.  This resource is for takatapui, their whanau and communities, sharing stories and information about identity, wellbeing and suicide prevention.

Order code: LGB0001

Ministry of Health

An explanation of the newborn metabolic screening test (the Guthrie or heel prick test) and the conditions it can identify, and of parents' right to give informed consent, including choosing whether or not to have leftover blood spots from the blood-spot card returned.

Order code: CHH0022

HealthEd

Advice in English on planning, preparing an emergency kit and practising basic hygiene in the event of an influenza (flu) pandemic.

LIMITED SUPPLY

Order code: HYG0004

Ministry of Health

Health and safety information for people who enjoy picnicking, camping, tramping or walking outdoors.

Code number: ENH0006

HealthEd

This A3 poster highlights the importance of good hand hygiene, by showing viewers some of the germs which can be present on your hands, and what type of illness they cause. It includes a call to action about the correct way to wash and dry your hands, and use hand sanitiser. It is available in English, Māori, Hindi, Samoan, Simplified Chinese and Tongan.

Public Health South SDHB

Information to help you have a healthy home and find out about resources and subsidies:

• Insulate it
• Dry it out
• Air it out
• Warm it up

Code number: ENH0024

Ministry of Health

Information about radiofrequency fields and issues relating to radio frequency, radio waves, mobile phones and cell sites.

Order code: ENH0002

Information about newborn hearing screening