The Government has confirmed to 1News that measles vaccines are now free for everyone in New Zealand over the age of one including adults who weren’t previously eligible for funded healthcare.
Health officials are racing to contain a growing measles outbreak and one of the country’s largest schools made partial closures today to prevent further spread.
Auckland Grammar asked all Year 9 and 10 students to stay home after a person infected with measles was on campus last Friday.
Headmaster Tim O’Connor said the school worked through the night with public health officials to notify families and staff.
“We learned of the case late yesterday, so it was a matter of working pretty quickly with Public Health to determine what our responses needed to be,” he told 1News.
Measles outbreak: Some high school students told to stay home – watch on TVNZ+
He said most students are already vaccinated and the decision to keep some home was precautionary.
“Response has been very positive and proactive. The majority of students, we understand, are vaccinated, so it’s precautionary in nature today, but important that we get accurate information.”
O’Connor encouraged families to check their records and make sure their children were protected.
“I’d be encouraging all families to be reviewing their medical records, and if their sons or and or daughters are not vaccinated, to actually do something about it. Because if it’s not for yourself and you don’t think you necessarily need it, do it for the greater community good,” he said.
“I think you know, we can see what the ramifications can be if we don’t have the majority of the population immunised.”
Experts warn of ‘all-out outbreak’
University of Auckland public health expert Sir Collin Tukuitonga says measles appears to be spreading locally and the country risks an “all-out outbreak” unless vaccination rates improve.
“We have some evidence that people have been infected with measles for which there’s no immediate source. In other words, the likelihood of local transmission is high, and that usually means a greater probability of an all-out outbreak,” he said.
Sir Collin says low immunisation rates among Māori and Pacific communities are creating “the elements of a fairly serious outbreak” and called for an urgent nationwide vaccination drive.
“I would have thought we should be now thinking about a dedicated vaccination drive, particularly for and with Māori communities.”
Access to vaccines widened
Associate Health Minister Simeon Brown told 1News the Government has expanded eligibility to ensure access for everyone.
“You can go down and get a second vaccine for free. If you’re not sure of your vaccine status, that is also free… so all measles immunisations are free.”
Brown said the change took effect on October 1, allowing anyone in New Zealand, including non-immune adults who were not previously eligible for funded healthcare to receive the MMR vaccine at no cost.
Officials were also considering whether to extend the vaccine to children under 12 months. For now, only babies travelling overseas or exposed to a confirmed case can get it early.
According to Health New Zealand, 1,408 MMR vaccines were administered yesterday – the highest one-day total since the last major measles outbreak in 2019.
