Measles in New Zealand (Auckland)
03 Dec 2019
The New Zealand Ministry of Health
reports that there have been 2 140 confirmed cases of measles in the country from 1 January 2019 to 2 December 2019. Of these cases, 1 708 are in the Auckland region. The Ministry of Health recommends that parents of babies aged 6–11 months who plan to travel to the Auckland region, should consider having their child vaccinated against measles at least two weeks before travelling.
Advice for Travellers
The New Zealand Ministry of Health recommendation is in line with the British National Schedule, stating that children travelling to an area where there is a current outbreak can receive a dose of MMR vaccine earlier than normal and from six months of age.
Under normal circumstances, children should receive two doses of MMR. The first is at 1 year and the second between 3 years and 4 months and 5 years old.
Where MMR is given at an age younger than one year, that dose is not counted as part of the usual schedule. Children should still receive two further doses of MMR at the usual intervals, beginning at 1 year of age.
Parents intending to travel to New Zealand with infants or older children who have not received MMR vaccination should consult a healthcare provider at least two weeks before travel.
For further information see Measles.