Doctors are warning that Pasifika and Māori immunisation rates in Waikato need to lift as winter approaches.
Photo: RNZ / Amy Williams
"Our borders being closed for two years protected us from influenza, but now they've re-opened we will be exposed to new flu variants along with other viruses such as measles," Waikato District Health Board medical officer of health Dr Felicity Dumble said.
Waikato DHB wants to boost immunisation rates, now that influenza jabs are free to Pacific and Māori aged 55 and over.
Māori and Pasifika families are now able to get immunised at Covid-19 community vaccination sites which now also offer include measles, mumps and rubella immunisations.
Ministry of Health figures suggest there is still plenty of work to be done in immunising children from six months to five years old.
Quarterly data from 1 October to 31 December shows that 35 of the 54 Pasifika six-month-olds and 211 of the 499 Māori six-month-olds in the region were vaccinated.
"We need vaccination rates of 95 percent to reach 'community immunity' sometimes known as 'herd immunity' to help prevent outbreaks of diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella," said Dumble.
"Disease outbreaks can have serious consequences for families and communities. Those who are not immunised, whether that's by choice or other circumstances, are worst affected by these outbreaks."
Immunisation rates have dropped since 2020 because of reduced prevalence given to flu and measles and a focus on Covid-19.
There is also a campaign to get teenagers and young adults fully immunised against measles as some have missed one or both recommended doses of MMR vaccine.
The 2019 measles outbreak infected more than 2000 people and 700 had to go to hospital, with Pacific and Māori communities the most affected.
People who aren't sure whether they are up-to-date with all their scheduled immunisations can check with their GP or in their Well Child Tamariki Ora My Health Book, said Dumble.
"Getting immunised is about being a kaitiaki for your whānau," she said.
"When you get vaccinated you look after your own health and help prevent the spread of disease. These diseases can be really serious for our young pēpi and tamariki, so it's vitally important we get vaccinated to keep them and future generations safe."
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