Measles

The Ministry of Health is strongly recommending all people travelling overseas to any destination are fully immunised against measles with two doses of MMR vaccine before they go. Current MMR Immunisation rates in New Zealand mean that a non-immune person infected with measles overseas may spread the disease to others within New Zealand on their return. We need at least 95% of people to be immunised to stop an outbreak. This also protects babies who are too young to be vaccinated, and severely immunocompromised people.

If you are unsure whether you are protected against measles, check with your health practitioner. If there is not enough time before you travel to complete the recommended two doses, having even one MMR vaccination before you leave New Zealand will substantially reduce your (or your child’s) risk of getting infected. It takes two weeks to develop immunity after vaccination, so, ideally get vaccinated two weeks before travel.

More information about how to check your immunity and what to do if you are not immune here. 

About measles

Measles is a highly infectious airborne disease. Measles is almost entirely preventable through vaccination. Initial symptoms can include fever (above 38°C), cough, coryza and conjunctivitis. Between day 3 and day 7 of illness a generalized maculopapular rash develops, starting on the head and neck and then spreading to the rest of the body. 

Measles is a serious viral infection. Some people may suffer from severe complications such as: 

• Pneumonia (infection of lungs): as many as 1 out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children. 
• Encephalitis (swelling of the brain): About 1 child out of 1,000 who gets measles will develop encephalitis that can lead to convulsions and can leave the child deaf or with intellectual disability. 
• Death: Nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurological complications. 
• Complications during pregnancy: Measles may cause pregnant women who have not had the MMR vaccine to give birth prematurely or have a low-birth-weight baby. 

International outbreaks

It is recommended that all travelers are fully vaccinated against measles when travelling to any international destination as many countries globally are experiencing measles outbreaks.

Vaccination

Children who have not yet been immunised are at greatest risk of the disease and the Ministry of Health recommends that infants aged 4-11 months travelling to countries with a measles outbreak be given MMR vaccine before their travel. While measles immunisation is usually given at age 12 months and 15 months in New Zealand, the MMR vaccine can be given to children as young as 4 months. Because the vaccine's effectiveness is lower for babies under 12 months of age, if they are given the vaccine, they will still need two further doses of the vaccine at 12 months and 15 months for long-term protection. Two doses of MMR vaccine give long-lasting protection to at least 98 percent of people.

Many teenagers and young adults have missed one or both doses of the vaccine and may be unaware that they are not immune. People who aren’t sure whether they are up to date with all their scheduled immunisation can check with their general practice, or in their Well Child Tamariki Ora health book . For those who are not sure whether they have had both recommended doses, there are no additional safety issues with inadvertently having a third dose. It is important that this dose is documented. 

Useful links

• Measles - Te Whatu Ora, Health New Zealand 
• MMR vaccines - Te Whatu Ora, Health New Zealand