PREVENTION OF MEASLES SICKNESS AND SPREAD TO OTHERS
We have measles in our community. Middlemore Hospital has opened a whole ward for children with measles.
Measles is:
* A serious infection with runny nose, sore eyes, cough, high fever, and then a rash.
* It can cause really serious sickness like meningitis –inflammation of the brain.
*It is easily spread from one person to another.
*Babies and young children are more at risk of catching measles and often end up in hospital very, very sick.
You do not catch measles if you have had 2 measles shots/immunisations.
Did your child have their measles (MMR) shot/immunisation at 18 months and a second one at 4 years?
If you have come from overseas, your child may not have had their 2nd measles immunisation.
If we get a measles case at school and your child is in the same class, your child will have to stay home until you can provide evidence that your child is immunised.
HELP US BE READY
Please can you send to the school office your child’s immunization record:
- this could be from the well child book or
- Telephone your doctor’s nurse and ask for a record