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Response from Waikato DHB re immunisation claims
Response from Waikato DHB re immunisation claims
Waikato District Health Board did not use
social networking sites to encourage teenagers to get
immunised without their parents' consent following a measles
outbreak in Te Awamutu last year.
Communications director Mary Anne Gill said Waikato DHB used Facebook and other social networking sites to encourage teenagers to discuss with their parents and whanau whether they had been immunised.
"We did use these sites to track down and target those who might have had contact with Te Awamutu College students in the last week of school last year as a precaution to them that they may be at risk from becoming seriously unwell if they were unimmunised.
http://www.waikatodhb.govt.nz/news/pageid/2145872114/Latest_Waikato_measles_update_
"As a DHB we endeavour to meet our obligations under the law to encourage immunisation and in particular to gain informed consent."
Mrs Gill said the campaign, which started after the measles outbreak in Te Awamutu in July last year, was always around asking teenagers to have the immunisation discussion with their parents.
"It just so happens that this was the age group affected which meant a social media campaign was appropriate.
"All our campaigns up to that point had been in print media and centred on parents of newborns and young children.
"This was a different scenario which required us to think differently.
"The use of social media is important to ensure that information reaches teenagers as it is one of the main forms of media they use."
Coupled with that we used community newspapers and radio to assist.
For more information about immunisation visit the Waikato Immunisation web page http://www.waikatodhb.govt.nz/page/pageid/2145841805/Immunisation_Services
The
Waikato DHB website is www.waikatodhb.health.nz
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
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