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A targeted vaccination program will begin in Northland next month to fight a meningococcal epidemic.
Health Minister David Clark said clinical experts said the MenW strain had reached an epidemic level in Northland and that the government urgently needed a vaccination program to prevent the spread of the disease.
Premier Jacinda Ardern said the pressure has risen sharply this year.
"His death rate is high and he has tragically killed three people in Northland this year."
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So far this year, 29 people have contracted this strain nationwide, more than twice as much as in 2017.
"We know that vaccines work against meningococcal meningitis because we have already taken this route … we want to repeat this success in combating the current epidemic in Northland," said Ardern.
Northland DHB was aware of a "very scary strain" of meningococcal disease six months before the public was notified, says an internal memo.
Northland DHB on Tuesday issued a press release urging the public to be vigilant about a "significant increase" in group W meningococcal disease in the region.
But in May, clinical microbiologist David Hammer had sent a letter to DHB staff to warn of potential cases.
In the memo, Hammer said, "We had never had any strains of the W group in Northland, but we had two unrelated cases in the same week this year, and we're waiting for sequential typing, but 'hope the result will be ST-11'.
The vaccination program would target Northland residents aged nine months to four years and those aged 13 to 19 years.
MORNING / RNZ REPORT
GPs and emergency services are particularly vigilant about a once rare strain of meningococcal disease that has killed six people in the past year.
"Research shows that vaccinating these two age groups is the best way to reduce the spread of meningococcal disease in the Northland community as a whole, which helps protect everyone, even if they are not healthy." they are not eligible for free vaccination, "Clark said.
There was strong international demand for the MenW vaccine, which was rare, he said.
Pharmac and the Ministry of Health managed to obtain 20,000 doses covering four types of meningococcal disease, including A, C, W and Y, he said.
The first batch of 10,000 doses would arrive in New Zealand next week and the rest a few weeks later.
The Northland District Health Board plans to launch a three-week community immunization program on December 5th in some high schools and community centers in Northland.
He reminded parents that the symptoms could be similar to those of the flu.
"Do not take a chance, if someone you know or have symptoms, please consult a doctor and have your symptoms examined by an expert."
Health Department Executive Director Ashley Bloomfield said the estimated cost of launching the vaccination campaign was about $ 700,000.
It would not confirm the price of vaccines because they were confidential.
The bacteria have been transmitted through close contact and factors such as poverty, proximity and overpopulation are important factors of transmission in Northland, he said.
"We also know that disease rates are higher among Maori, which is probably due to the high rate of people living in crowded conditions."
National Health spokesman Michael Woodhouse said Clark had to explain why it took six months for the Northland community to be informed of the outbreak.
Northland DHB staff were warned in May to vaccinate their children, he said.
"It is outrageous that, in this case, public warnings about this serious epidemic have not been released earlier, thus ensuring that people know what symptoms to look for.
The government must rebadure the public that it will be informed earlier of any future outbreak and that it will be managed more appropriately, he said.
"This should also rebadure New Zealanders that there are enough treatments for such outbreaks, given the shortages of essential drugs nationwide."
BRADEN FASTIER / STUFF
Health Minister Dr. David Clark has announced the launch of a targeted vaccination program in Northland to control an outbreak of meningococcal disease.
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