MMR – Key messages for potential outbreak February 2023
Context
• Unvaccinated infants are at particularly high risk of serious illness
• These days two MMR vaccinations are given to you as a child but
from measles.
people born before 2004 may have missed having one or both
Following confirmation of a measles case in Auckland, new key messages
• Measles spreads more easily than almost any other disease, and
doses
are required to inform and support outbreak response and increasing
can cause serious illness including pneumonia, brain infection and
• We’re encouraging everyone born before 2004 to check with a
MMR uptake, particularly in the affected areas of Auckland, Bay of Plenty
death.
parent, caregiver or family doctor to see whether you had both
and Waikato.
• MMR is given as two doses. If you’re not sure that you’ve had
MMR vaccinations as a child.
two doses, play it safe and get vaccinated. There are no safety
• If you’re not sure that you’ve had two doses, play it safe and get
The MMR vaccine is free for every citizen and resident in New Zealand
concerns with having an extra dose.
vaccinated. MMR vaccines are free at your GP, other local health
born from 1 January 1969 onwards, to ensure that people without
• MMR vaccines are free for everyone born after 1 January 1969.
provider and many pharmacies. There are no safety concerns
natural immunity are able to access protection. Two doses are needed for
Visit your local pharmacy or call your doctor or health provide
with having an extra dose.
full protection, with the first now scheduled to be given at 12 months and
today.
the second at 15 months.
Supporting messages – travel ers
• Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide lifelong protection
Since the introduction of vaccination for measles, the vaccination
against measles in 99 out of 100 vaccinated people.
• Measles is found in numerous countries popular with New
schedule has changed a number of times. Due to this, there are several
Supporting messages
Zealanders.
age cohorts who were caught in the middle of changes who may be
• Measles spreads more easily than almost any other disease, and
lacking protection.
• The MMR vaccine protects against measles mumps and rubella.
outbreaks happen regularly overseas.
All three can be very serious illnesses.
• Before you go overseas, check with a parent, caregiver or family
Exacerbating this, prior to the recent launch of the Aotearoa
• If you have been exposed to measles getting the MMR vaccine
doctor to see whether you’ve had two MMR vaccinations.
Immunisation Register, there was no centralised national system for
within 72 hours can prevent you from getting the disease.
• If you haven’t had two MMR vaccinations, book them in before
recording immunisation, with individual vaccination records held by the
you go. Doses should be at least four weeks apart.
family GP and potentially noted in Plunket/Well Child Tamariki Ora books.
Supporting messages – parents
• If you don’t have time for two doses, getting your first dose
People who have moved to New Zealand from other countries may also
not have easily accessible vaccination records.
• Over the last couple of years, many tamariki have missed out on
before you travel will still over some protection and help stop you
getting their MMR and other important childhood vaccines. It’s
accidentally bringing measles back to New Zealand with you.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, uptake for the second
not too late to protect them, it’s free, quick and easy.
dose has dropped, for a variety of reasons, including primary care
• It is important to get two doses of the MMR vaccine. If your child
Action plan
capacity, change in focus, lack of willingness to attend primary care due
has had their first dose, the second will still be effective even if it
to perceived risk, and vaccination fatigue.
has been months or years between them.
Activity
When
• The MMR vaccine has an excel ent safety record and has been
Scope
used in New Zealand since 1990. Like all vaccines used in New
Sign-off of key messages
14 Feb
Zealand, it has been reviewed for safety and effectiveness, and is
Distribution of key messages to stakeholders
14 Feb
The scope of this document is limited to key messages to promote
monitored on an ongoing basis.
under the Offical Information Act 1982
immunisation, available for use in immunisation promotion material and
• If you have any questions about vaccination, your GP, nurse
in communications related to the response to the case and the potential
practitioner and local vaccinator are here to help you. You can
outbreak.
also call Healthline 0800 611 116.
Messages
Supporting messages – rangatahi and adults
• New Zealanders should ensure they are fully protected against
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella can affect your chances of getting
measles following a confirmed case of the highly infectious
pregnant or having a healthy baby
disease in Aotearoa.
o Measles can increase the risk of miscarriage and
Released
• Any person born during or since 1969 and who does not have
premature labour
documented evidence of receiving two doses of a measles
o Mumps can affect fertility for both men and women
vaccine and has not had measles previously is at risk.
o Rubella can increase the risk of major birth defects
