Plenty take on measles vaccinations

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 15, Issue 691, 17 June 1997, Page 5

Plenty take on measles vaccinations

Large numbers of Raetihi parents chose to take up the offer of a measles vaccination for their chil dren when a Good Health Wanganui team visited the school last Thursday. After the vaccination, the children were given an apple each, thanks to Wanganui donations. The offer of vaccination comes ahead of a predicted measles epidemic. Although no cases of measles have been noted in the Waimarino, there have been a few cases in Wanganui. Programme co-ordinator Lesley McCulloch said there had been a very good response to the vaccination booster which gives about 95 per cent protection. They hope to complete the programme before the holidays, when travelling children are more likely to come into contact with the disease. Although not usually life threatening, there have been some fatalities due to measles, she said, adding that in any case there seemed little point in suffering from the disease when it was unnecessary. She said there had been no reactions to the vaccination

that they would be concerned about. Coupled with the measles vaccination are protection for mumps and rubella. The vaccination is taken purely voluntarily, she said, and the service is offered in response to parents' concerns. Even if only a large proportion of children are vaccinated, there is still protection for all as the disease has less chance of gaining a hold in the population, said Nurse McCulloch. Some people had misunderstood the intent of a lucky draw for children who returned the vaccination form, said nurse Judy Squires. She said some had thought the lucky draw was a bribe, but pointed out that children' s names go into the draw whether they answer yes or no to whether their parents choose for them to be- vaccinated. The draw was intended to ensure they got all forms returned to give information about numbers vaccinated and not vaccinated. "We're not pushing parents into having their children vaccinated," she explained, "we're here to provide a service for parents who wish to have their children vaccinated."