Measles Vaccines

Adults are considered immune to measles if:

• you have had two doses of the Measles Mumps and Rubella vaccine (MMR) as long as the first dose was when you were aged over 12 months.

• or you have been infected with measles in the past

• or you were born before 1969 (you are considered immune due to the prevalence of the disease in the community prior to the introduction of the MMR vaccine in 1969).

Children aged 12 months or older are considered fully immune if:

• they have had two documented MMR vaccinations, the first dose given after age 12 months of age and the second dose at least 4 weeks later. (The NZ schedule is for first dose at age 15 months and second dose at age 4 years.)

• If your child is aged between 15 months ( 12 months in some cases) and 4 years, they will have had one dose of MMR and this gives 95% coverage, but the second dose could be given early if there is deemed to be a particular risk.

You may not be immune if:

• you were born after 1969 and you haven’t got documented evidence of two MMR vaccinations.

• you have had two MMRs, but the first one was at age under 12 months ( you may need a third MMR)

• a child is under 15 months of age and hasn’t yet had their first MMR vaccination.

• you have had recent exposure or come from a high prevalence country

• you or your child have/has not been immunised for some other reason

If you do not remember what you or your child have/has received, please check your vaccination history.

Sometimes your vaccination records are recorded in your Plunket / Well Child / Baby book / old GP medical records. Your parents or guardians may have this book with them. We ask that you check with your family and send us a copy of the records.

We are happy to review this record for you, to check whether or not you need a catch-up course. We will also use this information to update your medical records.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us on 09 373 4055.