Following the significant drop in childhood immunisations
during the past four years due to covid, there is now
significant work to do to catch up. Committed to turning the
dial, ProCare is proud to announce a new immunisation
campaign to increase childhood immunisations rates, in
particular Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR), in Aotearoa New
Zealand.
Bindi Norwell, Group CEO at ProCare, says:
“With the recent return of measles in the country, it is
crucial we are getting our tamariki immunised, particularly
with the MMR vaccine. This will give them the best start to
life and grant parents peace of mind that their little one
is protected.
“Our practices have risen to the task
and are doing their best to get whānau in for their
immunisations – from phoning overdue patients, giving
vouchers to whānau who bring their tamariki in to be
immunised, and offering flexible appointment times. They are
working extremely hard to reach as many patients as possible
which is just wonderful to see,” Norwell
concludes.
Dr Allan Moffitt, Clinical Director at
ProCare, says: “Measles is extremely contagious and can be
severe for all people but particularly young children, which
is why we must continue to encourage parents and whānau to
get immunised when possible.
“Māori and Pacific
children experience significantly higher cases of measles
due to lower immunisation rates compared to other ethnic
groups. Currently our 8-month Māori tamariki are sitting at
79% immunised, and our Pacific tamariki are at 81%
immunised. Our target level is at least 85%, so the current
immunisations rates are leaving our children
vulnerable.
“We want this campaign to encourage
conversation within whānau and empower them to seek out
more information from their GP or nurse to make an informed
decision,” concludes Dr Moffitt.
The MMR vaccine is
not just for young children. It is important for adults to
find out their immunisation status from their GP and receive
a free vaccination if they were born after
1969.
ENDS
For more information, please
contact:
Georgia Smyth, External Communications
Advisor on Georgia.smyth@procare.co.nz
or 021 029 57800.
Notes to editors
For details
on the National Immunisation Schedule, click here https://assets.website-files.com/637315ab5c5af14ee5809c17/63fe9858a2c7ecb75597046f_Immune_Schedule_03-23.pdf
About
ProCare
ProCare is a leading healthcare provider that
aims to deliver the most progressive, pro-active and
equitable health and wellbeing services in Aotearoa. We do
this through our clinical support services, mental health
and wellness services, virtual/tele health, mobile health,
smoking cessation and by taking a population health and
equity approach to our mahi. As New Zealand’s largest
Primary Health Organisation, we represent a network of
general practice teams and healthcare professionals who
provide care to more than 830,000 people across Auckland and
Northland. These practices serve the largest Pacific and
South Asian populations enrolled in general practice and the
largest Māori population in Tāmaki Makaurau. For more
information go to www.procare.co.nz
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