You may have heard on the radio or read in the newspaper that due to a sustained measles outbreak in the Auckland region, health authorities are undertaking an enhanced immunisation programme to improve protection and increase coverage rates in the region.

People born after 1 January 1969 who are not immunised, are unsure of their immunisation status, or who have had only one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, should contact their GP team as soon as possible to discuss catch up MMR vaccination.

• The MMR vaccine is available for free to anyone who requires it.
• The Ministry of Health is ensuring there will be a supply of MMR vaccinations to meet demand.
• The best protection against measles is to have two doses of the MMR vaccine.

Measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny or blocked nose, sore red eyes and white spots inside the mouth. After 3-5 days a rash appears on the face and spreads down the body. Measles is extremely infectious.

Anyone who has any of these symptoms, or who may have been in contact with someone with measles and is not sure that they are immune, should stay away from work, school and public places to reduce the risk of spread to others. Phone your doctor or Healthline on 0800 611 116 first and follow their advice.

Children under 12 months

Infants under 12 months are considered a high risk group and should be kept away from people with symptoms of measles.

• Healthy full-term infants of mothers who are immune will have some protection as a result of circulating maternal antibodies, until they are around five months of age.
• Premature infants may have no immunity. Prompt medical advice should be sought about how best to protect a pre-term baby aged less than 12 months of age who has been a contact of someone with measles.
• For any other healthy infant aged less than 12 months who has been in contact with someone with confirmed measles, advice should be obtained from the family doctor.

Parents with children aged under 12 months should ensure they themselves, and others in the family, are fully vaccinated against measles to protect their children from the disease, and contact their child’s doctor if they have any concerns.

Children from 12 months to four years

Children over 12 months who have not had their first MMR vaccination should see their doctor to have their first dose now, even if they are under 15 months (the usual recommended age for the first dose when measles isn’t circulating), with the second dose to be given 28 days later, rather than at age four.

• Pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type B, the other immunisations normally received at 15 months, can also be received at 12 months.
• All of these vaccinations are safe and tested for children aged 12 months.
• Children aged under four years who have had their first dose of the MMR vaccine should now have their second dose as soon as possible 28 days after the initial dose, rather than waiting until age four. They will still need to have a vaccine for DTaP-IPV separately when they reach age four.

People aged from 5 up to 42 years

Those who are unsure of their own, or their families immunisation status, or who have had only one dose of the MMR vaccine, may be at risk of catching measles. Please contact your GP team as soon as possible to discuss catch up MMR vaccination.

People aged 42 years and over

Those born before 1969 are expected to have been exposed to measles, and are therefore considered immune.

Pregnant women or immune compromised

The MMR vaccine is not suitable for pregnant women or those who are immune compromised. Those who cannot receive the MMR vaccine can be best protected by ensuring that the people around them are fully immunised and are urged to contact their GP immediately if they are exposed to measles.

People who have previously had confirmed measles

All those who have had confirmed measles are considered immune.