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New Zealand health authorities urge the public to remain alert to the symptoms of measles and to ensure that children aged 15 months to 4 years are normally vaccinated against MMR.
Twenty-eight cases of measles were confirmed in Canterbury, two in Dunedin and two isolated cases in Auckland. An epidemic has recently occurred in the Waikato this year and Dr. Caroline McElnay, director of public health at the Ministry of Health, warned that there were also a number of international outbreaks. More cases of measles are therefore likely.
"Our first priority is to help Canterbury cope with its local epidemic, which will help protect all New Zealanders. But it is also very important that we maintain our existing effective vaccination program nationwide. "
"Do not forget that only a dose of MMR gives you a 95% chance of being protected. That's why the Canterbury DHB MMR vaccination campaign gives priority to people aged 12 months to 28 years who have never received measles vaccine or MMR vaccine.
"While additional stocks of vaccines are being transferred to Canterbury, there is no vaccine supply problem in the rest of the country.
"We encourage practices in New Zealand to maintain MMR vaccine delivery at 15 months and 4 years of age and to ensure that children are up to date with all their vaccines," said Dr. McElnay.
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