DHB: Get measles vaccine early

The Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) is advising preschool-age children to get their measles vaccine early with 10 confirmed cases in the region.

On Monday, the number of cases reached seven after a woman in her

40s and a 13-month old toddler from Christchurch were diagnosed with the disease.

In an email sent out to preschools and kindergartens in Canterbury yesterday, the CDHB said as of Tuesday,

10 cases had been confirmed. Health authorities said last Tuesday three people had contracted measles: a woman in her 40s and a teenager, both from Rangiora, and a man in his 40s, from Christchurch.

Some of the children diagnosed were yet to have completed their MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccinations. Four of the adults, aged between 27 and 50, had only one measles vaccination, which was standard practice between 1969 and 1990.

It was recommended all children in Canterbury should bring forward their first MMR vaccination to 12 months, instead of the usual 15 months. The second dose of MMR should also be given one month after the first month instead of waiting until four years old.

The surest protection was for people to have both of their MMR vaccinations, scheduled to be given to children at 15 months and at four years. Children older than four years who are up to date with their immunisations are protected.

Measles is a potentially lifethreatening disease, Canterbury medical officer of health Dr Ramon Pink said earlier. ‘‘People should stay in isolation from the time that they may have become infected until five days after the rash first appears.’’