Southern District Health Board (SDHB) is encouraging people, including Central Otago residents, to check they are up-to-date with their vaccinations for measles mumps and rubella (MMR).

Low immunisation rates and the reopening of international borders could increase the chances of a measles outbreak, prompting the roll out of a nationwide programme to help people who have not yet been vaccinated. 

Measles is a serious and highly contagious disease and if there was an outbreak, it would put additional pressure on a health system already contending with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

SDHB measles campaign coordinator Deborah Kay-Corkin said as countries around the world respond to Covid-19, many MMR immunisation programmes have been paused.

“Now that New Zealand’s borders are opening up, international travel puts us at increased risk of a measles outbreak.” 

There were 72 cases of measles across the Southern District in 2019 and more than 2000 cases nation-wide. 

“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 are unsure, it is best to play it safe and get the vaccine. 

“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.”

As well as being available through GPs, MMR vaccines are available at many Southern pharmacies on a walk-in basis, but there has been little uptake of this service to date.  

In Alexandra, both the Unichem Pharmacies (Centennial Ave and Tarbert St) are offering MMR vaccinations.

In Cromwell you can go to Cromwell Pharmacy at 22 The Mall.

It is free if you are 16 or older and no appointment is required.

Alexandra Pharmacy on Centennial St, Alexandra, is among those offering walk-ins for MMR vaccinations. PHOTO: Anna Robb

There are also plans to roll out the MMR vaccine programme to mass vaccination clinics across the Southern District in the coming weeks.

Learn more on the Ministry of Health factsheet about measles.