Health officials say the country may have already lost herd immunity for measles

Health officials say the country may have already lost herd immunity for measles.

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There have been at least 849 cases of measles nationwide in this year's outbreak, with 731 in Auckland.

About a third of all the cases have come in the last two weeks.

The Director of Public Health, Caroline McElnay, said not enough people are being vaccinated.

She said if the number of cases continue to increase, New Zealand could lose its elimination status by March next year.