Tairāwhiti faces measles risk with low immunisation rates
Tairāwhiti ranked 17th out of the 20 health districts in the country.
Only four regions—Canterbury, Southern, West Coast, and Capital & Coast — have reached the 84% 'milestone' figure set for the 2024–2025 period.
Health experts also warn that many adults born between 1969 and 2004 may not be fully protected with the full two-dose measles vaccination, now the recommended dosage.
A Tairāwhiti senior doctor, who asked not to be named, told the Gisborne Herald that health services in the region were already under pressure.
'So how would we manage the additional demand from a large measles outbreak?' he said.
'Prevention is key. Contact tracing will only be important initially to stop the spread. Vaccination will be more important to limit the extent of an outbreak.'
The doctor said a desktop exercise with education and health partners on March 28 had been conducted to prepare for the spread of measles and increase local capacity for contact tracing and vaccination.
A Tairāwhiti nurse, who also asked not to be identified, told the Gisborne Herald that children could potentially die because of low immunisation rates.
It was a nationwide issue and small children were the most at risk of serious diseases, she said.
'The importance of vaccination needs to be stressed.'
Acting clinical director, protection, National Public Health Service, Dr Matt Reid, in a statement, said there was much concern about a potential measles outbreak in NZ, given the rapid rise of measles cases overseas and low immunisation rates here.
'There are several regions we are particularly concerned about due to especially low immunisation rates.
'This includes Tairāwhiti, Lakes and Northland districts, which have lower immunisation coverage... less than 70%.
'The aim is for all districts to reach 85% by the end of the financial year, which still has two quarters remaining.
Reid said there were no measles cases in the country, 'but in preparation for the possibility of a case being identified in NZ, we've reminded people of the importance of immunisation, particularly if they are travelling overseas.
'If you're not immune to measles, or you're not sure if you've had two doses of the vaccine, talk to your healthcare provider about getting vaccinated.
'It is safe to have extra doses of the MMR vaccine even if you are already protected.'
The MMR vaccine is free for everyone under 18 years old, regardless of visa status.
'For those aged over 18, the vaccine is free if you're eligible for free healthcare in NZ.
'The vaccine is safe and very effective.'
After two doses, 99% of people are protected from measles.
The Public Health Communication Centre's Briefing recommended three immediate actions to prevent an epidemic.
Catch-up MMR immunisation for those aged 15 months to 9 years without documented receipt of two doses of MMR vaccine. Priority should be given to existing immunisation requirements for primary schools and pre-schools to reach a 95% plus coverage target. It is these institutions that particularly drive the spread in the community.
Improved communication to travellers about measles risk. For residents even more than visitors, as those returning home are more likely to import the virus.
Rethink the country's response to new measles cases arising in the community to have a stronger immunisation component.
The United States is enduring the largest measles outbreak in 25 years, with 935 confirmed measles cases as of May 1.
Three outbreaks in Canada, Mexico and the US account for about 2300 measles cases across the World Health Organisation's six-country Americas region.
As of May 1, 59 measles cases had been reported across Australia, compared to 57 cases for all of 2024.
Every state and territory, except Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory, has recorded at least one case.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
27-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Tobacco industry playbook mirrored: research
New research shows coalition government MPs "closely mirrored the tobacco industry's playbook" to back their decision to repeal New Zealand's world-leading smokefree laws. University of Otago Aspire Aotearoa co-director Prof Janet Hoek said the sudden repeal of the law showed how quickly progress could be undone when politicians ignored evidence, public opinion and expert advice. She and fellow Otago researchers released a new Public Health Communication Centre briefing yesterday, showing an analysis of arguments made by the government during the rushed February 2024 repeal of the smokefree "endgame" laws. The laws would have reduced nicotine in cigarettes to non-addictive levels, drastically cut the number of tobacco retailers, and created a smokefree generation by ending cigarette sales to people born after 2009. Prof Hoek said the repeal went against the best available evidence, against the advice of the Ministry of Health and against what most New Zealanders wanted. Researchers recently reviewed the verbatim Hansard record which showed what politicians said in the House of Representatives. They compared the contents with the Policy Dystopia Model, a framework that outlines argumentative strategies that tobacco companies use to oppose policies that restrict their marketing. "Many government arguments lacked evidence and closely mirrored the tobacco industry's playbook, such as overstating fears about illegal trade and shifting blame to individuals instead of holding tobacco companies accountable," she said. Hansard recordings from the time showed a New Zealand First Party MP saying, "Our smoking rates have fallen drastically in recent times ... If those trends continue without any additional measures, [we] will hit the headline smoke-free goal". Another showed a National Party MP saying, "We're going to be a lot less punitive ... provide [people] with more choice to help them quit". And an Act Party MP said, "... we [would] have a large illegal market putting profits in the pockets of gangs ..." if the smokefree laws continued. Opposition MPs strongly opposed the repeal, raising concerns about the lack of consultation, breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi and the likely impact on health inequities. Prof Hoek said the researchers' analysis, published yesterday in BMJ journal Tobacco Control , provided evidence from the NZ Health Survey which showed the Smokefree 2025 goal was very unlikely to be achieved, particularly for Māori. The report said returning to individually-focused measures, such as smoking cessation support, shifted responsibility for smoking from tobacco companies to people who smoked. NZ data also showed the illicit tobacco trade would not put more money in the hands of gangs. It had remained stable over time, and recent analysis suggested it may have decreased. Whether deliberate or not, coalition MPs' use of arguments made by tobacco companies suggested an urgent need to restrict tobacco companies' ability to influence policy, the briefing said. "Additional measures, include introducing lobbying regulations, such as a code of conduct to govern lobbying, a register that records all lobbying activity undertaken by organisations, and legislation that would define how policy makers and officials maintain high compliance with their obligations under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control." The briefing said these policies would increase transparency and should be an urgent priority here, and internationally. While limiting lobbying and making interactions more transparent was crucial, even these steps might not capture all the interactions between politicians, their staff, tobacco companies or the groups they support. "Researchers must thus continue to question tobacco companies' arguments, and the logic and evidence used to support these, particularly given court findings that tobacco companies deceived the public for many decades." Prof Hoek said their analysis offered a cautionary tale for other countries considering smokefree measures.
Otago Daily Times
27-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Govt allegedly favoured industry over health
Large multinational companies have been accused of increasingly influencing governments and shaping public policies to suit their own needs — often harming health in favour of profits. University of Otago Aspire Aotearoa Tobacco Control Research Centre senior research fellow Dr Jude Ball said public health experts examined four areas — alcohol, infant formula, transport and tobacco — and found recent New Zealand government decisions had favoured industry over health. In a Public Health Communication Centre briefing, released today, researchers found strong evidence and public support for reducing alcohol harms, but lobbying by the alcohol industry had stymied progress on reforms such as stricter advertising and availability controls. Researchers also found in 2024 the government withdrew from new Australia-New Zealand standards designed to curb infant formula marketing, following heavy lobbying by multinational dairy companies. The government's recent transport policies were also found to promote "car-centric" development, and delay emissions controls, which aligned closely with automotive industry preferences. It had prompted a legal challenge over the lack of transparency, Dr Ball said. Serious concerns had also been raised about the repeal of world-leading tobacco endgame measures last year. The government appeared to ignore expert health advice and public support for the legislation. Dr Ball said the four examples were "just the tip of the iceberg", and concern was growing over the broader influence of commercial lobbying on New Zealand policy-making. Ultimately, it was having an impact on the health of our communities. "The World Health Organisation report describes how transnational corporations use their growing power to influence policy, often to the detriment of public health, while governments are weakened or 'captured' by commercial interests." She said the briefing highlighted recent New Zealand reports that recommended measures to protect against industry influence. The recommendations included banning political donations and gifts from industry; increasing transparency around conflicts of interest; and introducing a lobbying register and code of conduct. "Public policy should be shaped by evidence and public interest — not by those with the deepest pockets and the loudest lobbyists. "By adopting basic transparency and accountability measures, New Zealand can foster a business environment that's both economically vibrant and health-promoting," she said.
RNZ News
27-05-2025
- RNZ News
Rugby legend urges Pasifika to prioritise measles vaccination
By Christine Rovoi , PMN According to the health authorities, measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Photo: RNZ / Rob Dixon Lemalu Semo Sititi, a prominent Sāmoan rugby figure and Pacific regional adviser at the National Public Health Service, is urging Pasifika communities to take the threat of measles seriously. He says the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, is available free of charge to everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand. In an interview with John Pulu on Pacific Mornings, Lemalu explained the importance of vaccination, saying that measles "causes a lot of sickness around our community". He highlighted that measles is a highly-contagious disease caused by a virus. The campaign aims to vaccinate over 80 per cent of the Pacific population, focusing on achieving 85 per cent coverage among two-year-olds. "It spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs, and sneezes," Lemalu says. "It can cause severe, very severe diseases, complications, and even death. It's important because we have to protect ourselves. "Measles cases are rising globally, with outbreaks in many other parts of the world, including Australia, Southeast Asia, the United States, and Canada." He warns that Aotearoa is at high risk of a measles outbreak, as the number of cases has increased in recent weeks. "We managed to control that with our CDC nurses and the Pacific Public Health team, experts in contact tracing. We've managed to look after and keep our people where they should be, like quarantine, before they go out to the community." This handout picture released from UNICEF Samoa shows nurse April Wilson (L) and team leader Luisa Popo preparing vaccinations during a nationwide campaign against measles in the Samoan town of Le'auva'a. Photo: AFP PHOTO / ALLAN STEPHEN / UNICEF Lemalu recognises that many people "may be tired of hearing health warnings" and become complacent about getting vaccinated. "That's natural, and some people, and apologies if I say that, and it might affect some listeners, but I think some people don't care about this. It's important to listen, and we're here to encourage them to get vaccinated, because it's spreading to our community. And it's making people very sick, John. "We need everyone to play their part in stopping it from spreading further, especially to people who are more at risk." Following recent cases linked to a boat that travelled around Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Lemalu says the situation is starting to stabilise. "Our team up in the northern region, as I said, is led by Stephanie Eric and even Joan, our charge nurses up in the NPHS and the CTC nurses, who control that well by making contact straight away. We're following up on the situation, and hopefully, by today, we'll clear it up. Photo: AFP / Science Photo Library "It's only a small number, maybe eight members of families are still in quarantine and probably managed to get out of their quarantine today, which is a good thing, John. I must extend my big fa'afetai to all the families who were part of the close contacts. They managed to come forward for our nurses to clear it up and managed to do their assessments and everything." Health New Zealand (HNZ) has contacted hundreds of individuals who were close contacts of the measles case identified in Auckland over the past week, in efforts to contain the virus' spread. On 11 May, HNZ announced the identification of the measles case linked to overseas travel, which was confirmed on 10 May. According to the health authorities, measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. A rash typically appears a few days later, starting on the face and spreading down the body. Other symptoms may include feeling generally unwell, fatigue, and in some cases, small white, grey, red or bluish spots inside the mouth. "Measles is a very contagious viral illness that spreads easily between people and makes most people feel very unwell," HNZ states. "It can also cause serious health problems, including runny poos (diarrhoea), chest infections and brain swelling. "About one in three people with measles will need hospital care. The measles vaccine is very effective at preventing measles. Across Aotearoa New Zealand, the level of immunity to measles is very low, as not enough people are fully immunised against the illness. This puts us at high risk of an outbreak." Lemalu says, "If you feel you have a fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, watery eyes, followed by a rash, then you must stay home and get urgent advice." The doctor observed those symptoms during the checkup. "You must get urgent advice from your doctor or Healthline, 0800 611 116. Please, if you feel it, do not go to the clinic without calling first, because you may pass measles on to other people at the clinic. So you need to call the clinic before you go. Once you confirm that you've got an appointment, please go." Concerns have been raised about the safety of the vaccine. Is it safe for adults to receive the MMR vaccine if they missed it as children? "If you were born, I think it was 1969, then you're probably safe," Lemalu says. "But if you don't know that you've done any vaccination so far, it's no harm to get another one. This is the immunisation that gives you the best protection against measles. If you don't know that you've had the vaccine in the past, call your doctor. "If you don't know you've had a measles vaccine for the whole year, it's no harm. But to have another one is the best protection from measles. Good to be safe." Lemalu Semo Sititi. Photo: Global Rapid Rugby In the past week, health officials in Kiribati and Sāmoa have reported measles cases in their countries. In 2019, 83 people, mostly children, died due to a measles epidemic in Sāmoa. Lemalu hopes that such a tragedy does not happen again. "This is why we, Pasifika, are at the forefront to promote and encourage everyone to get the measles vaccine because we don't want that to happen again," he says. "Back in 2019, our whānau, our young kids, lost their lives because of the measles. This is a good chance to have your measles vaccine. And protection is there." The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that the Western Pacific Region faces a significant measles outbreak, marked by a sharp rise in reported cases across multiple countries, including Asia, the South Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand. The WHO states that the resurgence underscores critical immunisation gaps and highlights the urgent need to strengthen public health interventions. -This article was first published by PMN .
