New measles Locations of Interest in Auckland - chemist and second supermarket

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora has identified more locations of interest where the recent case of measles visited while infectious.

A person with measles was confirmed yesterday in Auckland, linked to overseas travel.

National Public Health Service (NPHS) has released the times of exposure at Kelston Woolworths on Saturday 3 May and a number of Fullers ferry trips on Monday 5 May.

The details of the new Locations of Interest listed on the Info.health website and are below:

• Unichem New Lynn on Wed 7 May between 9.00 and 10.30 am
• Mount Albert Pak n Save on Wed 7 May between 10.00 and 11.45 am

Anyone who was at these locations at these times need to check they have immunity to measles. You are considered immune to measles if you have proof of two doses of the MMR vaccine. People born before 1969 or who have evidence confirming measles previously are also considered immune.

Measles is a serious and highly infectious illness so people should check their immunisation status and follow public health advice.

Here is the full list of public locations in Auckland where the person has been while infectious.

“Measles is a serious and highly infectious illness, which can affect adults as well as children and babies,” Protection Clinical Director Dr Susan Jack says. “The MMR vaccine is the only thing that prevents measles.”

If a person with suspected measles infection needs to seek healthcare from a doctor or healthcare provider, they should phone ahead and tell the clinic that they may have been exposed to measles.

“Now is an important time to remind everyone to check if you and your whānau are immune to measles. You are considered immune if you have had two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine after the age of 12 months. People born or living in New Zealand before 1969 or have had measles previously (confirmed by blood results) are also considered immune.

If you are unsure of how many doses of the MMR vaccine you have had before, for most people it’s safe to get immunised again,” Dr Jack says.

The MMR vaccine is free in New Zealand for anyone 18 years or under, and for people who are eligible for free healthcare.

“Being immunised not only protects you, but also those around you from becoming seriously ill and from spreading the disease to others, including friends, loved ones and people in your community,” Dr Jack says.