The Southern District Health Board (SDHB) is encouraging people to check they are up to date with their vaccinations for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) as low immunisation rates and reopening international borders increase the chances of a measles outbreak. 

A significant measles outbreak in 2019 led to cases in Queenstown, Wānaka, Dunedin, Oamaru and Gore.

SDHB measles campaign coordinator Deborah Kay-Corkin said another outbreak of measles would put additional pressure on a health system already contending with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

As countries around the world respond to Covid-19, many MMR immunisation programmes have been paused, Deborah said, and now that New Zealand’s borders are opening up, international travel puts Kiwis at increased risk of a measles outbreak. 

“Two doses of the MMR vaccine will protect 99 percent of people against measles,” Deborah said. “We can stop outbreaks of measles if enough people have their MMR vaccination.”  

People can check their Plunket or WellChild books, or ask their doctors to find out whether they have received the two MMR doses required to be fully immunised. 

If they don’t know for sure, it is best to play it safe and get the vaccine, Deborah said. 

“There are no additional safety concerns with having additional MMR doses, and you can also safely have your MMR vaccine at the same time as your Covid-19 vaccine,” Deborah said.

MMR vaccines are currently available from local GPs and, in the coming weeks, the MMR vaccine programme will be rolled out to mass vaccination clinics across the Southern district, Deborah said. 

Find out more about the MMR vaccine here or call Healthline on 0800 611 116.  

PHOTO: Supplied