Press Release by ‘Counties Manukau Health‘ – 30/08/2019
School nurses are being trained to roll out a vaccination programme in schools as part of an opportunistic vaccinations programme in an effort to stem the number of measles cases in the Counties Manukau Health district.
“We are training 25 school nurses for a programme covering 34 high schools including alternative education and teen parent units,” says CM Health GM Child, Youth and Maternity, Carmel Ellis.
“We are taking a different approach for Manurewa High School, where our Public Health nurses will be visiting the school on Tuesday to carry out vaccinations for staff and students.
“This is part of rollout that includes plans for further outreach in the community as more funding is made available.”
Ms Ellis says measles vaccination clinics have been established as part of a Saturday clinic for B4 School programme at the Manukau SuperClinic and will offer the MMR vaccine to anyone who requires a vaccination from 8.30am-3pm.
Among the initiatives also underway is a drop in clinic at the Clendon Public Health Nursing office based in the Clendon Shopping Centre in Manurewa, and a clinic at the Free Church of Tonga in Mangere tomorrow (Saturday, 30 August) that will be open 9am-3pm offering MMR vaccination for free.
“Our community is at the heart of what we do. The fact that we now have 527 people diagnosed with measles in this district means that we need to continue to ramp up our efforts to counter this highly infectious disease,” adds Ms Ellis.
“Measles has made many kids and young people very sick, so please make sure your tamariki and rangatahi have their measles vaccine. If you’re unsure, please still go and get the vaccination.”
If you or a whaanau suspect you have measles, please stay home and call Healthline on 0800 611 116 or your doctor. They will advise you on what to do. If you’re feeling sick, you should stay away from work, school or public places, to help prevent putting other people at risk.
For more information, please contact your doctor or call Healthline on 0800 611 116.
Public Outreach Underway
- Free Church of Tonga, Mangere, Saturday 31 August, 9am-3pm
- Manukau SuperClinic, Manukau, Saturdays, 8.30am-3pm
- Clendon Public Nursing Office, Clendon Shopping Centre, Manurewa, Monday-Friday, 9.30am-3pm
- School nurses to be trained to administer vaccinations at their schools
