RUBELLA Vaccine Here In June

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32274, 17 April 1970, Page 22

RUBELLA Vaccine Here In June

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 16.

Supplies of a vaccine against German measles should be available in New Zealand by the end of June, the Department of Health said today in a statement.

A tender for a vaccine called Cendavax, made by Smith Kline and French Laboratories, had been accepted.

Dr Joan Mackay, an assistant director of public health with the department, said: “During the last rubella epidemic in New Zealand, in 1964, there were more than 300 deaf and partially deaf children, as well as a number with other serious handicaps, born to women who had rubella during the early months of pregnancy. “We hope to avoid similar tragedies by limiting the spread of the disease through vaccinatiug children in the primary schools and providing vaccine through private doctors for pre-school children aged four years. “The vaccine will be available also for girls and women of child-bearing age. “A vaccination programme in primary schools should take place toward the end of the second term. Vaccine for private practitioners should be available early in July.” Dr Mackay said the new vaccine was live but attenuated and was highly protective. However, it was not known whether it could harm the developing foetus. “Because of this it is very

important that women who are pregnant should not be vaccinated, and women who are vaccinated must avoid becoming pregnant for at least two months. “There will be no mass immunisation campaign for girls and women of childbearing age. They should discuss vaccination with their doctors.”

Dr Mackay said the programme had been recommended by the epidemiology advisory committee of the Board of Health.