Ministry advises people to delay second dose of MMR to ensure adequate supply in Canterbury

The number of measles cases in Canterbury continues to increase and the Ministry of Health has issued a new opinion on vaccination to ensure that the region has enough vaccine for its needs.

Measles is a serious and highly infectious disease. It is currently spreading in Canterbury where, as of Tuesday, 30 cases – including a 4-month-old baby – had been confirmed.

On Monday, the Ministry of Health announced that it was asking people who had already received a dose of MMR to delay their second dose in order to stay on top of their offer.

The news comes as the ESR announced that there were now 49 confirmed cases in the country.

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Dr. Caroline McElnay, Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, said: "Patients who want a second MMR vaccine are being asked to be patient so that those who are not vaccinated can be immunized. first".

The national immunization schedule includes vaccination against MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) at 15 months and again at 4 years.

McElnay said the vaccine stock was enough to ensure the continuation of this activity and support the response to the Canterbury outbreak.

"We have asked GP practices outside Canterbury to prioritize vaccination at the age of 15 months and 4 years and, within the limits of available stocks, patients under 50 years of age. Having received no measles vaccine. "

According to the Ministry's recommendations for MMR immunization, all people born in 1969 need two doses to be fully protected.

However, McElnay said that if you have already received a dose, you have a 95% chance of being protected.

"The reason we give a second dose is to capture the 5% that need this second vaccine to get immunity."

The Ministry of Health estimates that about 90% of New Zealanders between the ages of 29 and 50 are already protected from measles.

The ESR, the scientific agency that monitors all notifiable diseases on behalf of the ministry, says that as of Monday, 49 cases have been confirmed this year, up from seven this year. Last year.

There have been four confirmed cases in Auckland and "epidemics" in Waikato and Bay of Plenty, said Jill Sherwood, a public health physician at ESR.

Two years ago, New Zealand was hailed by the international community for successfully eliminating endemic measles – meaning the virus was no longer circulating in New Zealand.

Before that, for three years, the only reported cases of measles had been imported or transmitted by a person who had introduced the virus into the country, Sherwood said.

"It is estimated that to prevent repeated measles outbreaks, 95% of the population must be immunized."

HELPLINES RING OF THE HOOK

Last week, Healthline, Plunket and the Vaccination Advisory Center reported an increase in the number of calls to their support lines from people across the country seeking advice on measles.

The IMMUN 0800 telephone number of the Vaccine Advisory Center has tripled, as health professionals seek more information on measles.

The largest shopping centerHealthline recorded a 40% increase in the number of calls and Plunket also recorded a 30-35% increase in call volume last week, according to a statement from the Department of Health.

Most of these callers were not from Canterbury.

Symptoms of measles include coughing or runny nose or conjunctivitis, fever over 38.5 ° C, and rash.

Anyone with measles symptoms is asked to contact their doctor or call Healthline at 0800 611 116 for advice.