IMMUNISATION

• Measles is a very infectious virus. Before immunisation was introduced, nearly all children caught measles. Measles causes a rash, high fever, runny nose, cough and sore watery eyes. Severe cases can result in pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling in the brain), diarrhoea and rarely, death.
• Mumps is caused by a virus and is spread through the air. Mumps causes fever, headache and swelling of the glands around the face. In males mumps can cause swelling of the testicles and in rare cases, infertility. Mumps can also cause meningitis and encephalitis (swelling in the brain).
• Rubella is usually a mild, viral illness. It causes a rash, fever and swollen glands in children. It is extremely dangerous for pregnant women because it can cause deafness, blindness and brain damage in an unborn baby.

Check with your local doctor and/or your Plunket book (if you still have it!)

Most young people will have been given at least one dose of MMR in early childhood. However, changes to the Immunisation Schedule in 2001 and less effective reminder systems before 2005 mean that many teenagers and young adults have not had the two doses to be fully protected. If you have come from overseas, including the Pacific Islands, you may have had different vaccines that may not protect you against measles, mumps and rubella.

If you’re not sure whether you have had two doses of MMR, the Ministry of Health recommends you get vaccinated. There are no additional safety concerns with having extra doses.

MMR immunisation is FREE for anyone born after 1969.

You can get the vaccine:

• at your doctor’s clinic
• at you local community pharmacies listed below (if you’re 16 or older)