Immunise on time at 15 months

MEDIA RELEASE

Protect your toddler from serious diseases, immunise on time at 15 months

Immunising at 15 months of age helps to keep your toddler safe from many infectious diseases. “Your toddler is at risk and you can help keep them safe from serious diseases such as measles and mumps by immunising on time at 15 months of age,” says Dr Jim Miller, Medical Officer of Health.

The 15 month immunisations help to keep children safe from measles, mumps, rubella, haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and pneumococcal disease. These diseases can make children and adults sick and may lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia, meningitis and encephalitis (brain inflammation).

Immunising your toddler at 15 months is really important as it is the first chance to protect them from measles, mumps and rubella. This vaccine (MMR) is very effective and after this first dose of MMR vaccine, 90-95% of toddlers will be protected from measles, 95-96% protected from mumps, and 90-97% protected from rubella. A second booster dose of MMR is given at 4 years of age.

During late 2011, there was a nationwide outbreak of measles which also affected the Bay of Plenty. While the threat of measles is now lower for our community, the recent outbreak shows that infectious diseases such as measles can and do affect people in our area.

Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service is therefore launching a campaign across the Bay of Plenty this week to remind parents and carers of the importance of immunising toddlers at 15 months. The campaign will run for 12 weeks and includes Facebook and radio adverts, articles in local newspapers and mobiles displayed in general practices and early childhood centres. Information on the 15 month vaccination event is also available on the Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service website at www.toiteorapublichealth.govt.nz/15_months_immunisation

ENDS

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