Are you and your family
protected from measles?
With recent cases of measles in the Bay of
Plenty district, now is a good time to check
your immunisation status to protect you and
your family from the measles.
Anyone born before 1969 is likely to be immune because measles
used to be quite common but those born from 1969 onwards who
are unsure of their immunity should check with their doctor.
If you have children, measles immunisation provides effective
protection and is provided free of charge, as part of the childhood
immunisation schedule. The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
vaccine is given in two doses, normally at 15 months and 4 years
of age.
“If you or your child has missed your immunisations, it’s never too
late to catch up. Contact your family doctor or practice nurse,”
says Dr Jim Miller, Medical Officer of Health.
“By protecting yourself from measles you will also be helping to
protect our patients and the wider community from measles,” says
Dr Miller.
Measles usually begins with a runny nose, fever and sore eyes.
This is followed by a red, blotchy rash that usually starts on the
face and spreads to the rest of the body. “Measles can be serious
when there are complications. These include diarrhoea, ear
infections and, more seriously, pneumonia and inflammation of the
brain,” says Dr Miller.
“If you think you or someone in your family may have measles,
stay at home and phone your doctor to alert them of your
symptoms and allow them to make arrangements to assess you
safely and without infecting other people, or call Healthline on
0800 611 116 for advice,” advises Dr Miller.
Dr Jim Miller, Public Health Physician and
Medical Officer of Health, recommends
staff check that they and their families are
up-to-date with their MMR immunisation
for protection against measles.
Get the latest health
warning updates from
Toi Te Ora Public Health
Keep up to date with information about health warnings for our
community by:
• signing up for email alerts - visit www.toiteora.govt.nz/
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• phoning our free phone number 0800 221 555 and
selecting option 1 for health warnings for the Bay of Plenty
district or option 2 for the Lakes district.
For more information about measles visit the Toi Te Ora Public
Health website at www.toiteora.govt.nz/measles
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