Measles - are you protected?

3.8.2009 - Measles - are you protected?

Concern that measles may return to the Bay of Plenty and Lakes has prompted the local Medical Officer of Health to urge everyone to make sure they are protected.

There have been small but significant outbreaks of laboratory confirmed measles in Otago, Canterbury and Auckland. Measles is among the most dangerous of the vaccine preventable diseases, and remains a leading cause of childhood mortality worldwide. It is highly infectious from the onset of early symptoms (such as fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes) until four days after the measles rash appears. Complications are quite common with up to 9% of cases developing otitis media, up to 6% pneumonia, and one in 100 having convulsions. More rarely measles can cause encephalitis, within a week of infection, or insidiously, several years later.

Immunity to vaccine preventable diseases is not good in our community due to years of relatively low vaccination rates. A significant outbreak of measles is quite possible with a real risk of some children experiencing severe illness which may occasionally result in long-term health problems or even death.

Most people over 40 will be immune because measles used to be quite common. Everyone else from 15 months to 39 years should check that they are up to date with their measles vaccinations – either MMR or MR.

GP’s will remind the parents of children who are behind with their MMR vaccinations, but if you know that your child hasn’t had at least one dose (or two if they are four years or over) get in touch and make an appointment.

MMR vaccination is now completely free for everyone under 40 years of age.

For more information visit: www.immune.org.nz
Measles fact sheet: http://www.immune.org.nz/site_resources/Measles.pdf

ENDS

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