As measles re-emerges across Aotearoa, public health leaders are sounding the alarm on the urgent need to lift immunisation rates-particularly in communities that have historically faced barriers to access. In Tairāwhiti, Medical Officer of Health Dr Osman Mansoor says the challenge is not just about vaccines, but about trust, equity, and how well the health system serves whānau.
Dr Mansoor, who leads the National Public Health Service in Tairāwhiti, says recent position statements from the Public Health Association of New Zealand (PHANZ) strongly reflect what he and his team are seeing on the ground. He points to long-standing inequities in access to primary health care, workforce shortages, and the ongoing impacts of colonisation and deprivation as key factors influencing immunisation coverage.
“Equity isn’t an abstract concept here,” Dr Mansoor says. “It’s about whether services are available where people live, whether they are delivered in ways that are culturally safe, and whether communities feel heard and respected.”
With measles outbreaks occurring in several regions, Dr Mansoor says accelerating MMR catch-up is critical-especially for pēpi, tamariki, and rangatahi who may have missed routine immunisations during COVID-19 disruptions. He stresses the importance of proactive outreach, flexible service delivery, and clear, trusted communication.
“Measles is one of the most infectious diseases we know,” he says. “The most effective protection we have is high immunisation coverage. That means taking vaccines to the community, not waiting for the community to come to us.”
PHANZ has emphasised the need for community-designed solutions, and Dr Mansoor says Tairāwhiti already has strong foundations to build on. Partnerships with iwi, Māori providers, schools, and community organisations are proving vital in lifting engagement and confidence in immunisation services.
“When solutions are designed with communities, not for them, they work better and last longer,” he says. “Whānau know what will work for their people.”
Immunisation coverage is widely recognised as a key indicator of how well the health system is functioning overall. In Tairāwhiti, Dr Mansoor says current coverage rates highlight both challenges and opportunities-particularly around service integration, workforce support, and sustained investment in prevention.
“A strong health system doesn’t just respond to illness—it prevents it,” he says. “Improving immunisation access is one of the clearest ways we can show the system is working for everyone.”
As Aotearoa faces renewed public health risks, Dr Mansoor’s message is clear: protecting communities requires trust, partnership, and a commitment to equity-grounded in local knowledge and collective action.
