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Around 100,000 vaccines to be given out in Canterbury as measles outbreak hits 22 cases

Authorities say the disease is circulating citywide.

Around 100,000 vaccines will be administered in Canterbury over the coming weeks to try and contain the measles outbreak there.

The number is half of the vaccines currently available nationwide.

The news comes as today it was confirmed there are now 22 cases in the region, up from 20 last night and 15 on Friday.

Authorities say the disease is circulating widely in the region, with the number likely to rise.

Approximately half of the cases are those in the 29-50 age bracket.

Canterbury Medical Officer of Health, Dr Alistair Humphrey, said those aged 29-50 are particularly vulnerable because many of them have only only had one vaccine, not two and the vaccine was nowhere near as good as the modern vaccine.

Unvaccinated small children are also at high risk.

Dr Humphrey said whilst they are yet to identify the original case that caused the outbreak, it is likely it was spread via an overseas traveller.

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