Measles outbreaks

Hi all,
I've just interviewed a doctor from the Auckland Regional Public Health Service about the current measles outbreak in Auckland (there are also outbreaks in Otago and Christchurch). As a result, ARPHS have changed their immunisation advice, particularly concerning children aged between 12-15 mths. You can find more information here and on the ARPHS website, here.
Happy reading!
Emma and the team at OHbaby!

Apparently it's perfectly fine to give it between 6-12 mths, and the recommendation is if you've had contact with it, then you should get bub immunised early. It's my understanding that the only reason it's scheduled for 15 mths is because the maternal measles antibodies passed to bub during pregnancy last a lot longer than other maternal antibodies, and if you give it while these antibodies are still present, it's not as effective as it thinks the body already has immunity.

and here i was over 2 months late for edens 15 mth lot and only one reminder letter.

It's all very close to home for me at the moment - lil miss was diagnosed with measles today . Thankfully she hasn't been too sick with it, but the nightmare has been trying to work out anyone she has been in contact with that hasn't been immunised.

My older three are immunised, but she isn't old enough.

The irony is that I've been working with Public Health for the past week to get this article together, and now my own baby has it!

Eek how scary Emma hopefully she doesn't get too sick.

We got called in last week for my kids second doses. The nurse told me it shouldn't be as bad as the first time as the body already has 'seen' the virus. My two have been sweet this time, not like the delayed reaction the first time.

oh Emma you're having a rough time of everything at the moment

Emma, your poor little one.

Wish more people would immunise then we would not have to worry about the ones to young to get immunise.

The only way to wipe out these horrid disease is immunisation.

what do you mean by second one??? I thought MMR was at 15 months and then not till 4years? Have I missed something?

well got my boys done today and wish I hadnt :( they both screamed blue murder and now both have a fear or needles, nurses and doctors! even ambulance drivers and medicine syringes

Oh Emma! I hope Lil Miss gets better really soon

We had measles at our daycare and were sent for Jack's second MMR shot the next day. The poor wee one that got them was too young to get the vaccine as well so it wasn't like there was anything the parents could do to try and prevent it.

The nurse did have a big spiel about anti-immunisation parents though which I thought was interesting (as she is usually very laid-back about commenting on things like that). We could see a spike in mumps and rubella too unfortunately, but that's just a waiting game I guess.

Just another thing for the parents of vulnerable kids to worry about - if Jack catches anything when his neutrophils are on the downhill slide it'll be fun times in our household!