Lesson from Samoa — get immunised ‘Protect your children’

A measles information poster at Greenlane Clinical Centre in Auckland. There has been a major outbreak of measles in Auckland this winter. Photo / Cherie Howie RGP 05Sep19 - Auckland's St Peter's College's ball was attended by person with measles. A measles information poster. BTG 05Sep19 - Auckland's St Peter's College's ball was attended by person with measles. A measles information poster.

Families must immunise.

That is the message from Hauora Tairawhiti as a board report on immunisation turned into a discussion on the national measles outbreak and the 32 fatalities in Samoa.

Families had to keep immunisation up-to-date to prevent the “extremely distressing tragedy in Samoa and the terrible things happening there,’’ Hauora Tairawhiti chief executive Mr Green told board members yesterday.

“We want to make sure that does not occur in our country.

“We are encouraging people to protect their children.’’

There had been a ‘‘pick up’’ in Tairawhiti immunisation rates.

The increase was more noticeable with the vaccination due at two years of age, which was “most definitely related’’ to the measles outbreak in New Zealand, although there had been no outbreak in Tairawhiti, he said.

Board member Na Raihania said a local radio station had expressed concern about the measles outbreak in Samoa and the possible threat to Tairawhiti residents travelling there.

The message from the station was to check that children were immunised before travelling.

Mr Green said he agreed with the advice.

Measles was ‘‘so contagious’’.

“You have seen what happens in Samoa when you have 40 percent (immunisation) coverage rate.

“You just see the devastation that has been caused and the tragedy.

“There are people who think ‘it’s just measles’ . . . those kids are dead.’’

All but four of the 32 fatalities in Samoa are children aged under four.

The Samoan government said 243 cases of the disease were recorded in just the past day. Hundreds of new patients were overloading hospitals and medical staff.

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The Samoan government said 24,000 people had been immunised in a compulsory mass vaccination campaign launched under a state of emergency.

In New Zealand, from January 1 to November 22, there have been 2090 confirmed cases of notified measles.

Replying to board member Brian Wilson, Mr Green said it was ‘‘absolutely known’’ who had not been immunised in Tairawhiti.

Providers had been active in contacting those not immunised.

“It’s a really sad thing what is happening in Samoa, but it could highlight to people here the dangers from these preventable illnesses.’’

In Mr Green’s written monthly report to the board, he said one person with measles has come into Tairawhiti in October.

Vaccine stock within the district was stable with more measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine supply coming into the country in November.

The vaccine remained rationed to under five-year-olds and ‘‘opportunistic vaccination” to under 15-year-olds who come in to GP practices for other reasons and are asked about their immunisation status.

“We have also now opened it up to people travelling to affected areas.”

Mr Green said the Ministry of Health had made ‘‘positive comment’’ concerning Tairawhiti immunisation rates in the first quarter (July to September).

“Your health board has total coverage of 84.5 percent and Maori coverage of 86.9 percent at eight months and total coverage of 86.5 percent and Maori coverage of 85.4 percent at five years,’’ said the ministry report.

“Your health board has total coverage of 88.2 percent and Maori coverage of 85.4 percent at two-years-of age.

“Congratulations on achieving significant increases for all children at two years this quarter (ended September).”