Measles vaccine is safe

Counties Manukau District Health Board- A Community Partnership

Mistaken and misleading claims that the measles vaccine causes autism are putting children at risk of catching the disease.

"How many children are going to catch this preventable disease because of this myth?" asks Immunisation Advisory Centre director Nikki Turner.

"Even if only one unlucky child got pneumonia or brain inflammation that could have been avoided, what would you say to their parents?"

Some parents decide not to vaccinate because they are worried about claims there is an increased risk to their children of developing autism.

"Any parent would be worried if that were true and the community of doctors and vaccine scientists have spent years looking for a link without finding one.

"There is clear scientific evidence that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination is not related to autism," Dr Turner says.

Since the MMR/autism link was proposed in 1998 there have been more than 20 large, well-designed studies including millions of children in Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States.

These studies consistently show there is no difference in autism rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated children.

Despite this some parents are still fearful of vaccinating.

We know that reduced rates of vaccination lead to increased outbreaks of what can be a very serious disease.

It is likely that we are now at the beginning of a serious measles outbreak in New Zealand.

So why vaccinate? Measles is more serious than people realise.

"Many New Zealanders may not have seen measles or have forgotten that it can be a serious and sometimes fatal disease," Dr Turner says.

"We’re asking parents to be aware that there are myths and misinformation about the measles immunisation when they make decisions.

"If immunisation rates are high enough in the New Zealand community we will not see any cases of measles."

Protecting one child also protects others with measles vaccination.

"We all need to take care of the health of our children and our community."

The MMR vaccine is effective if children get it on time at 15 months and four years of age.

Once fully immunised, 90-95 percent of children are protected from measles.

"Talk to your family doctor or practice nurse if your child is behind with an immunisation – it’s never too late to catch up," Dr Turner says.

Measles usually starts with a fever, conjunctivitis – red eyes – runny nose and small, irregular, bright red spots with a small white speck on the inside of the mouth.

A fever might not appear until 10-12 days after a person is infected and the characteristic measles rash can take several more days to develop.

A person is infectious from one day before the start of symptoms to four days after the appearance of the rash.

Health Ministry chief population health adviser Dr Greg Simmons says people should phone their doctor for advice if their child or someone in their family has measles.

"Don’t take measles to the waiting room. We say this because measles is so infectious.

"It’s estimated that up to 13 people could become infected from coming into contact with just one person with this disease," he says.

"People can help stop measles spreading by keeping sick children at home but don’t hesitate to seek medical help if your child seems to be getting worse."

You can also help stop measles spreading by covering your mouth when you cough, using tissues, washing and drying your hands after coughing or sneezing and staying away from sick people.

For information talk to your doctor or practice nurse, call the Immunisation Advisory Centre 0800-466-863 or visit www.immune.org.nz or www.moh.govt.nz/immunisation.

- © Fairfax NZ News