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The Ministry of Health estimates that the most vulnerable people are in need.
Between January and September, 1149 confirmed cases of measles were notified in New Zealand.
In Wellington, many GPs are nearing the end of their vaccine supply, including the Newlands Medical Center and doctors in the city.
"The public has responded immensely to the current situation with regard to measles, which has resulted in unprecedented demand for vaccinations from the population," said Ashley Bloomfield, Director General of Health, Ministry of Health. of Health.
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A delivery of 52,000 vaccines is expected in New Zealand this weekend and will be distributed if needed from next week.
"Children aged two and under are more likely to be hospitalized because of measles, so it's imperative that they be vaccinated."
So far, 160,000 vaccines have been provided in 2019, compared with 90,000 vaccines for the same period last year.
The Ministry of Health is asking general practitioners and PSOs to target measles immunization against the most vulnerable.
Newlands Medical said last week that they were facing an increased number of calls regarding the measles outbreak and that they had a limited stock of vaccines left.
KEVIN STENT / STUFF
Health Department General Director of Health, Ashley Bloomfield, said the measles outbreak had resulted in an "unprecedented demand" for vaccines.
"We are aware that it is of a worrying moment for you, especially if you have travel plans in the most affected areas of the NZ."
The Ministry of Health worked with boards and distributors to develop an inventory of MMR vaccine stocks.
The redistribution of domestic vaccine supplies will focus on Auckland, the ministry said yesterday.
belchonock / 123RF
The demand for vaccinations from the general population means that those who need it most have missed out.
For the rest of the country, the Ministry and Pharmac are prioritizing the distribution of vaccines to firms and PSOs with insufficient or depleted stocks.
More than 54,000 doses of vaccine were distributed last week.
The message regarding immunization remains the same: all children should be vaccinated in time to ensure that the national immunization schedule remains on track.
Ministry priorities for immunization:
* Ensure that all New Zealand children receive their vaccines on time, at 15 months (in Auckland, 12 months) and at age 4, in order to meet the national childhood immunization schedule.
* The vaccination groups most affected by the epidemic in the Auckland region, namely children under 4 years, those aged 15 to 29 years and the Pacific peoples belonging to these groups.
* Proactively contact children under the age of 14 who have not received any dose of vaccine to be vaccinated.
Priority groups for immunization are reviewed regularly.
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