Mumps epidemic: Calls for Health Ministry help

Auckland health leaders are calling for help from the Health Ministry as an epidemic of mumps grows. There have been more than a thousand cases of mumps in the region this year, because of gaps in immunisation among those aged 10 to 29. The region's district health boards and the Auckland Regional Public Health Service want action to boost immunisation, using the Measles Mumps and Rubella, or MMR vaccine. They warn that if it doesn't happen, the Auckland epidemic will continue spreading nationwide, and could result in a measles outbreak too. Following it closely is the head of the Immunisation Advisory Centre, Nikki Turner.