PIACT Market Day offering MMR Clinic
Monday 27 March 2023Saturday 1 April, 10:30am to 2:30pm
Getting more people vaccinated and promoting measles vaccination in the community is the goal of a vaccination clinic at the Pacific Island Advisory Charitable Trust (PIACT) market day in Invercargill on Saturday 1 April.
The PIACT market day is held every three weeks at their Bowmont Street location, the fun and family friendly event runs from 9am to 2.30pm.
WellSouth primary health network and PIACT will be hosting a free Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination clinic at the upcoming market day from 10.30am – 2.30pm.
The clinic will also be offering other vaccinations, also free to eligible populations, including Covid-19 vaccination and boosters, flu vaccinations, and whooping cough boosters.
WellSouth Clinical Advisor Pasifika, Dr Letava Tafuna’i who will be on hand to answer any questions says that measles is a serious disease which is highly infectious, and with the recent case in the North Island, there is the risk of an outbreak.
“Measles is a plane or boat ride away” she says. “With our proximity to the Pacific Islands, where vaccination rates are still low in some islands, it is especially important that we vaccinate those traveling to prevent spread as had happened in 2019 with Samoa. The best protection against measles is vaccination. It is safe and effective.”
PIACT chairman George Ngaei says while the organisation focuses on supporting Southland’s Pasifika communities, this is an open event, and everyone is welcome: “Even though PIACT’s services usually for our Pasifika community, our vaccination programmes do not turn people away. We promote it to our community but all peoples are welcome.”
The vaccination clinic is open to anyone who has not had two doses of the measles vaccine or are unsure of their vaccination status. To be fully vaccinated, against measles you need two doses, however, it is safe to have additional doses for those who are unsure of their vaccination status.
“If you are unsure, then vaccination is best. It is safe to get an additional dose of the vaccine”, says Dr Tafuna’i.
Anyone under the age of 54 (born 1969 or later) is eligible for the MMR vaccine.
Q&A session
Dr Letava Tafuna’i will present an information session at 10.30am and answering questions about the vaccination.
The joint vaccination clinic is the start of a campaign, and there will be other clinics in the Otago and Southland region to increase vaccination against measles.
Anyone unable to attend the market day but would like to be vaccinated, contact your general practice or health provider.
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