Doctors urge all parents to ensure children are vaccinated

Doctors are urging all parents and caregivers to have their eligible children vaccinated after a seven month old Northland child has been diagnosed with meningococcal W.

“We now know that meningococcal W is still circulating in our community and stress again how important it is that our children are protected,” Medical Officer of Health Dr Jose Ortega Benito said.

As of 18 March 14,001 children in Northland had been vaccinated against meningococcal W through the outbreak campaign, which leaves a further 8,706 eligible children who can take advantage of the free vaccine in Northland.

In order to protect our children it is vital that all 9 months to under five years and 13 to under 20 year olds are vaccinated against this deadly disease.

There are some areas in Northland, such as the Hokianga, where only 50 percent of the eligible children are immunised.

“If we don’t increase the number of eligible children vaccinated we are at risk of another outbreak,” said Dr Benito.

We are targeting children under 5 because this is the population that is generally most affected by meningococcal disease. Vaccinating this age group will protect them from getting meningococcal disease. The vaccine cannot be given to babies under 9 months.

Vaccinating 13 to under 20-year-olds is also really important because this is the age group that generally carries the bacterium that causes the disease.

“Even if they have no symptoms, carriers can infect those around them. Vaccinating this age group will lower the number of carriers in Northland and stop the spread of meningococcal disease across the entire community.”

The district health board is working closely with Hokianga Health to offer community clinics in that area.

Most general practices across Northland and a pharmacy in Whangarei, Kerikeri and Kaitaia are offering free meningococcal W vaccination to eligible children.

All clinic, general practice and pharmacy information is published on the Northland DHB website and Facebook page.