Just like other areas of the world, New Zealand has a problem with measles outbreaks. It shouldn’t be surprising then that they also have a problem with folks pushing anti-vax misinformation.
Are they really seeing the most measles cases in the areas with the highest vaccination rates?
Measles Outbreaks in New Zealand
One thing is sure, there are a lot of measles cases in New Zealand.
“From 1 January 2019 to 10 October 2019 there have been 1742 confirmed cases of measles notified across New Zealand. 1416 of these confirmed cases are in the Auckland region.”
2019 NZ measles outbreak information
Do we know which parts of New Zealand have the most measles outbreaks?
We do!
Of course, this doesn’t really tell you anything about why some districts have more cases than others…
Is it because they have more unvaccinated people or simply because they have a lot more people?
Wherever they live, we know that like measles outbreaks in every other part of the world, few of the folks with measles in New Zealand are known to be fully vaccinated.
And while New Zealand had eliminated home grown-cases of measles just a few years ago, it wasn’t with vaccination rates of 97%.
“For immunisation from measles, rubella and mumps two doses of the vaccine called MMR are needed. Dr McElnay said among New Zealand’s children and infants, 95 percent had had the first dose and 90 percent the full vaccine.”
NZ eliminates NZ-origin measles
Unfortunately, while they were working to get younger kids vaccinated and protected, many older kids and adults are still not vaccinated.
“However, we must remain vigilant and improve our vaccination rates because these diseases can easily spread among unimmunised people from imported cases. In New Zealand, people aged 12 to 32 years have lower vaccination rates than young children so are less likely to be protected against these diseases.”
Measles and rubella officially eliminated in New Zealand
Only about 80% of teens and young adults are fully vaccinated against measles in New Zealand!
Combined with high numbers of folks who were never vaccinated and folks who travel to other parts of the world where measles is still endemic and you have a recipe for disaster.
“While there have been no measles deaths in this outbreak, there have been five pregnant women hospitalised and two fetal losses associated with these events.”
Report investigates high hospitalisation rates for measles in Auckland region
In addition to the two unborn babies who died, there are also reports of at least three hospitalisations for encephalitis.
A disaster that could easily be prevented with two doses of a vaccine that is safe, with few risks, and obviously necessary.
More on Measles in New Zealand
- Why Are Vaccinated Australians Now Catching Measles?
- What to Do If Your Child Is Exposed to Measles
- Who Dies with Measles?
- Is Measles Dangerous If You Are Pregnant?
- Remembering When Everyone Had Measles
- How Many People Have Died from Measles in 2019?
- Why is there a rip-roaring measles outbreak in NZ?
- 2019 NZ measles outbreak information
- NZ Measles Reports
- NZ National and DHB immunisation data
- Progress to immunisation coverage in NZ 2013
- Measles in New Zealand
- NZ eliminates NZ-origin measles
- Measles and rubella officially eliminated in New Zealand
- Measles Stories
- Suspected measles case in Samoa connected to Auckland outbreak
- Two unborn babies die in New Zealand after mothers contracted measles
- Report investigates high hospitalisation rates for measles in Auckland region
After Auckland (which includes three districts – Auckland, Waitemata & Manukau), Northland has the next highest incidence of measles. Northland has the lowest vaccination rates in the country and actually has the second highest incidence of measles.
Gisborne has had two cases of measles.
The National Immunisation register was not set up until 2005, the 97% is quoted as coming from the NIR…..anyone vaccinated before 2005 is not on there….that would be around 80% of the NZ population.