The Ministry of Health’s Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr Shirley Crawshaw says: The current measles outbreak is a good reminder for people to check they are fully vaccinated. Measles is highly infectious and can have serious consequences. Around 30 percent of people with measles will develop complications. About 1 in 10 people will require hospital treatment. Immunisation is the single most effective measure you can take to protect you and your family from this highly infectious and serious disease. You need to have had two doses of MMR vaccine to be fully protected.

You can find out if you or family members are up to date with your immunisations by checking your child’s Well Child Tamariki Ora or Plunket books, or asking at your General Practice. New Zealanders born from 1 January 1969 are eligible for free MMR vaccinations. Those born before the measles vaccine became available in 1969 are considered at lower risk because they were probably exposed to measles as a child. Further information is available through 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863) or Healthline (0800 611 116) on the Ministry of Health website Information about catching up on immunisations is also available on the Ministry of Health website.

Please monitor any possible symptoms of measles and keep your child at home and take him or her to the doctor if you believe that he or she may have contracted this highly contagious illness. The school should also be advised immediately of your concerns and the doctor’s diagnosis.

Thank you for your cooperation in this regard.