Govt steps in over measles
The Government is bringing in reinforcements to the fight against the Auckland measles outbreak and may set up vaccination stations at churches and shopping malls.
It comes as 700 cases of the contagious disease have been confirmed in the city, according to the Auckland Regional Public Health Service.
That is up 33 new cases since yesterday, when the figure stood at 667.
Associate Health Minister Julie Anne Genter said officials were looking to increase support for immunisation services and put more nurse vaccinators on the ground.
Much of the focus is on South Auckland and particularly its Pasifika community, which has the highest number of confirmed measles cases.
“I’m very concerned by the rising number of cases, particularly for young Pasifika people in Counties Manukau,” Genter said.
“New Zealand currently has the highest number of recorded cases of measles since 1997 and because measles is so contagious, infection spreads particularly quickly among unimmunised people.”
The confirmed Auckland measles cases include 475 in the Counties Manukau District Health Board area, 97 in the Auckland DHB region and 128 in the Waitemata¯ DHB district.
The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) shot is free for anyone under 50 who has not had two documented doses. It is available nationwide at any general practice clinic.
Genter said while immunisation services were free, people sometimes found it difficult to access.
As a result, a special DHB immunisation team will work to reach people unable to get to their family doctor’s clinic, for example.
“That means nurse vaccinators might be rostered to appear in a range of locations like malls, schools and churches and at a range of times including weekends and evenings.”
Details about extra clinics would be revealed as soon as possible.
Manurewa High School has cancelled a mayoral campaign event due to the ongoing measles outbreak. The event this evening was to give students a chance to hear from candidates as part of an Auckland Council civics education programme.
Ten Manurewa High students have been confirmed to have measles, said Dr William Rainger of the regional public health service.
“The service is supporting the school to stop the spread of the virus. It is providing advice on who needs to be in quarantine because they may have been exposed to measles, and are not immune.
“A student or staff member with measles can easily infect others in a secondary school, where students move around to different classes and . . . also cultural and sports teams.”