CM Health school nurse Cristine Ronberg and Prohealth Pharmacist Ashika Devi-Chaudhary vaccinating at Alfriston College
For the first time, 49 pharmacies in the Counties Manukau Health (CM Health) area are offering free measles vaccination to young people aged 16 to 30*.
Young people in the Counties Manukau area can also get immunised against measles at their family doctor for free.
“A large number of people in this age group missed out on getting fully immunised when they were children. This means they are at risk of catching and spreading measles,” says Dr Natalie Gauld, CM Health Programme Manager Pharmacy Services.
Measles spreads faster than just about any other disease on the planet. It is about eight times more contagious than COVID-19 and it can make people really sick. Getting immunised means people are protected and won’t miss out on earning, learning or having fun.
Young people can go to any of the participating pharmacies to get their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine on the spot. They can also ask any questions they have about the vaccine to their pharmacist or doctor.
“If you don’t know if you are immunised ask your whaanau, family doctor or the pharmacy can look it up. But if you still don’t know, don’t worry; you can take the vaccine again. It’s quick and then you know you’re protected.
Measles can be really serious for kaumaatua, peepi and tamariki. By getting vaccinated you are also protecting your whaanau, your community and future generations,” says Dr Gauld.
Vaccination is FREE at family doctors or participating pharmacies. At pharmacies you can just turn up, there is no need to book an appointment or to bring anything. The pharmacist will take you to a private room in the pharmacy to do this. You’ll need to wait for 20 minutes after.
The measles vaccine is very effective and safe. A list of participating pharmacies in the Counties Manukau area can be found on our website: countiesmanukau.health.nz/measles
More information is also available at Protect Against Measles, including a factsheet translated into nine languages.