Parents are being urged to vaccinate their children as New Zealand is on the brink of measles outbreak, according to Tui Ora nurse Robyn Taylor.
Speaking to Breakfast this morning, Taylor said she is "very concerned" and parents need to act fast.
She said cases are popping up all around the world, including Australia, which means the disease is getting closer to New Zealand.
Asked about the risk if children catch measles, Robyn talked about the outbreak in Samoa in 2019 which saw 83 people die, most of which were children and babies.
"You think 83 is a lot in that small community, you times than by 100 when it comes to New Zealand and unfortunately the burden of that disease and those deaths and serious illnesses, the burden will be on our tāmaki Māori."
"Measles doesn't care if you're a millionaire or if you're living in poverty, it will get you no matter what. It's extremely contagious, it's eight times more contagious than Covid."
Taylor said what happened in Samoa will happen here, and she urges people to get vaccinated because the disease is preventable.
In the latest briefing from the Public Health Communication Centre, Professor Michael Baker and co-authors laid out evidence showing the country is highly vulnerable to a measles epidemic.
They warned it could result in thousands of cases, hospitalisations, chronic illness, and potentially deaths.
Professor Baker said urgent steps are needed to catch up those who have missed out on vaccination.
"This is alongside work to increase routine childhood coverage, particularly for Māori, Pacific Peoples, and deprived communities."
He said New Zealand has the lowest immunisation rates its had in 15 years.
"Our immunisation rates are at their lowest since 2009 with overall coverage at two years now at 83%. Even more concerning is the much lower coverage for Māori children at 69%, Pacific children at 81%, and 75% for children living in the most deprived neighbourhoods.
"These levels are far below the 95% target level needed to maintain measles elimination."
He added measles is not endemic in NZ so an outbreak will only be caused when infected travellers arrive from overseas. He says the risk is increasing with rates of the disease rising across parts of the world and inbound traveller numbers up to near pre-pandemic levels.
"While we commend the government announcement for investment in measures to raise vaccination rates with a priority focus on Māori, multiple additional strategies are needed immediately to avoid an epidemic."
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