High school students urged to get measles shots to protect exam season

Health officials warn of outbreak risk from overseas cases after last year's disruption

By LineZotpaper

Published18 October 2026

Read Time2 min

New Zealand health officials are urging high school students to ensure they are fully vaccinated against measles to prevent a repeat of last year's outbreak that saw unvaccinated students sent home during NCEA exams, with an immunisation expert warning the virus can cause serious complications including brain damage.

Nikki Turner, principal medical adviser at the Immunisation Advisory Centre, said students sitting NCEA exams should check their vaccination status as overseas outbreaks increase the risk of the virus being brought into New Zealand.

"Many young people may be unsure of their vaccination history, but it is safe and recommended to be vaccinated if there is any doubt," Turner said.

Last November, measles cases were reported among students from Wellington College, Wellington Girls' College and Auckland Grammar, with some unvaccinated students asked to stay home.

Turner said measles can have serious consequences. "It can do anything from killing you, to cause inflammation of the brain and brain damage, a whole lot of other consequences."

She also warned the virus weakens the immune system for months after infection, leaving patients vulnerable to other diseases.

The expert noted the world had come close to eliminating measles completely, but case numbers jumped again following a drop in vaccination coverage.

The call is aimed at preventing further disruption to end-of-year exams and celebrations at secondary schools.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Unvaccinated students risk being excluded from NCEA exams if an outbreak occurs, affecting academic results
Measles can cause severe complications including death, brain inflammation, and long-term immune system damage
The appeal highlights gaps in vaccination coverage among teenagers, a group that may have missed routine immunisations

Background

Last November, measles cases at three major secondary schools forced unvaccinated students to stay home during exam period, prompting health authorities to act before the 2026 exam season. Immunisation expert Nikki Turner said growing overseas outbreaks increase the likelihood of the virus being imported into New Zealand, and many young people may not know their vaccination history.

Key Perspectives

Health officials (Immunisation Advisory Centre): Emphasise that vaccination is safe even when history is uncertain, and that the risks of measles far outweigh any vaccine concerns. They urge all students to get vaccinated now rather than risk disruption. Students and parents affected by last year's outbreak: The memory of being sent home from school during exams is fresh, and the public call for vaccinations offers reassurance that authorities are trying to prevent a repeat. Critics/Skeptics: The source does not present any opposing views, but some families may have hesitancy about vaccination; the official advice is designed to counter misinformation by stressing safety and the absence of harm from revaccination if records are lost.

What to Watch

Any new measles cases reported in New Zealand in the coming weeks as the exam period approaches
Vaccination uptake data from the Ministry of Health, particularly among 15-18 year olds
Whether schools issue formal vaccination requirements or exclusion notices for unvaccinated students

Sources

High school students urged to get vaccinated to prevent measles disrupting exams · RNZ New Zealand Headlines

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedHigh school students are being urged to get measles vaccinations to prevent disruption to exams.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “High school students are being urged to ensure they are fully vaccinated against measles, to help prevent an outbreak like the one that disrupted exams and end of year celebrations at multiple schools last year.”
Partly supportedNew Zealand health officials are making the vaccination appeal.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Nikki Turner, the Immunisation Advisory Centre's principal medical adviser, said students sitting NCEA exams should ensure they are fully vaccinated against measles”
SupportedOverseas outbreaks increase the risk of measles being brought into New Zealand.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “overseas outbreaks increase the risk of the virus being brought into New Zealand.”
Partly supportedLast year's outbreak disrupted exams and resulted in unvaccinated students being sent home during NCEA exams.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Last November measles cases were reported among students from Wellington College, Wellington Girls' College and Auckland Grammar, with some unvaccinated students asked to stay home.”
SupportedTurner said, “Many young people may be unsure of their vaccination history, but it is safe and recommended to be vaccinated if there is any doubt.”RNZ New Zealand Headlines: ““Many young people may be unsure of their vaccination history, but it is safe and recommended to be vaccinated if there is any doubt,” Turner said.”
SupportedTurner said, “It can do anything from killing you, to cause inflammation of the brain and brain damage, a whole lot of other consequences.”RNZ New Zealand Headlines: ““It can do anything from killing you, to cause inflammation of the brain and brain damage, a whole lot of other consequences.”
SupportedNikki Turner is the Immunisation Advisory Centre's principal medical adviser.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Nikki Turner, the Immunisation Advisory Centre's principal medical adviser”
SupportedLast November, measles cases were reported among students at Wellington College, Wellington Girls' College and Auckland Grammar.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Last November measles cases were reported among students from Wellington College, Wellington Girls' College and Auckland Grammar”
SupportedMeasles can cause serious complications, including brain inflammation and brain damage.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “She said measles can have serious complications. “It can do anything from killing you, to cause inflammation of the brain and brain damage””
SupportedMeasles can affect the immune system for months after infection, leaving patients prone to other infectious diseases.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “it actually affects your immune system, so for many months afterwards you are prone to other infectious disease as well.”
SupportedThe world came close to eliminating measles, but case numbers rose again after vaccination coverage fell.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “She said the world got close to eliminating measles completely, but numbers jumped up again following a drop in vaccination cover.”
SupportedThe vaccination appeal is intended to prevent further disruption to end-of-year exams and celebrations at secondary schools.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “to help prevent an outbreak like the one that disrupted exams and end of year celebrations at multiple schools last year.”