DR OSMAN MANSOOR SPEAKS TO WAATEA NEWS ABOUT A COMMUNITY-LED PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE TO IMMUNISATION

Following the recent release of two Public Health Association of New Zealand (PHANZ) policy position statements on immunisation, Dr Osman Mansoor, Medical Officer of Health in Tairāwhiti and member of the PHANZ Policy Subcommittee, spoke with Waatea News.

As measles cases re-emerge across Aotearoa, Dr Mansoor emphasises that the challenge extends beyond vaccines alone — it is also about trust, equity, and how effectively the health system serves whānau.

Accelerating MMR catch-up is critical, especially for pēpi, tamariki, and rangatahi who may have missed routine immunisations. This requires proactive outreach, flexible service delivery, and clear, trusted communication.

The PHANZ policy statements stress the importance of community-designed solutions. Dr Mansoor points out that Tairāwhiti already has strong foundations to build on. Partnerships with iwi, Māori providers, schools, and local community organisations are proving important in increasing engagement and confidence in immunisation services.

“When solutions are designed with communities, not for them, they work better and last longer,” Dr Mansoor says. “Whānau know what will work for their people.”

Immunisation coverage is also widely recognised as a key measure of the health system’s overall performance. In Tairāwhiti, Dr Mansoor notes that current coverage rates highlight both challenges and opportunities — particularly in service integration, workforce support, and sustained investment in prevention.

Dr Mansoor’s full interview is available on the Waatea News website.