The campaign, which began last July in the wake of the serious measles outbreak in New Zealand in 2019, is supposed to pick up young people who may have had no measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations, or only one of the two doses recommended.
In response to questions about the campaign, medical officer of health Dr Susan Jack said in Southern’s area, 6292 people in the campaign’s target age group had been recorded as receiving one dose of the MMR vaccine.
However, an estimated 20,158 had no records showing MMR vaccination, as the national immunisation register did not exist when they were young children.
"These young people may or may not have been previously vaccinated with MMR."
Regardless, anyone who did not have two documented MMR vaccinations is eligible for a free vaccination in the campaign.
Since the campaign began, vaccinations have been offered in a variety of settings, including general practices, 20 pharmacies and a special community clinic at Wakari Hospital for young people based in Dunedin who may not have access to a GP.
Dr Jack said the board was also working with Student Health to reach students at the University of Otago, Otago Polytechnic and Southern Institute of Technology. Public health nurses were working in schools and with alternative education, plus at special events.
She was pleased with the effort general practices had put in to contacting enrolled patients to offer them the free vaccine, "on top of having to carry out their usual patient care and coping with the added pressures of Covid-19 testing".
During the summer, the DHB’s push to reach young people included a campaign featuring nine Southern role models on Facebook and YouTube, including dairy farmer Tangaroa Walker, youth and whanau advocate Missy Parata and rugby player Thomas Umaga Jensen.
Each of the 11 videos produced for this had more than 10,000 views and viewing statistics showed those in the 15- to 30-year-old audience took the time to watch the videos.
Supporting billboards and posters reinforcing the video campaign, along with newspaper and radio advertisements, have also been used.
Dr Jack said the board’s Maori health directorate and Pasifika staff, in conjunction with community providers, were planning outreach clinics for young Maori and Pasifika people.
Also, the community clinics at Wakari Hospital, which began last month, are continuing every Wednesday this month from 1pm-4pm at the Public Health offices on the second floor of the main hospital block.
General practices in the district continue to recall enrolled patients they believe to be due or overdue for their MMR vaccine, including those in the 15- to 30-year-old age group.
- By Elspeth McLean
