Measles vaccination advice and updates

Tuesday 1 July 2025

New measles vaccine supply arrangements in place 

The Department has advised that previously communicated changes to vaccine supply arrangements to states and territories under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) are now in place.

As of 1 July 2025, supply of measles containing vaccines has moved from 2 suppliers (GSK and CSL) to 1 (only GSK).

State Immunisation Coordinators:

• cannot place new orders for CSL’s M-M-R® II (MMR), and Varivax (Varicella);
• will only be able to order GSK’s Priorix (MMR), Priorix-Tetra (MMRV), and Varilrix (Varicella); and 
• are encouraged to continue to use their current stocks of M-M-R® II and Varivax until it either expires or runs out.

Vaccination Providers:

• can continue to place orders for CSL’s M-M-R® II (MMR), and Varivax (Varicella) until vaccine supply is exhausted in State Immunisation Coordinator warehouses;
• are able to order GSK’s Priorix (MMR), Priorix-Tetra (MMRV), and Varilrix (Varicella); and 
• are encouraged to continue to use their current stock of M-M-R® II and Varivax for vaccinations until vaccine supply either expires or runs out.

There is no change to the vaccination schedule or the ordering process.

Subscribe to the Department's email list for the latest NIP updates

Thursday 19 June 2025

Clarification changes to measles vaccine supply arrangements

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has clarified the 1 July 2025 change to supply arrangements for measles-containing vaccines under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

The department recently completed a tender process for the supply of measles-containing vaccines under the NIP.  As a result of this process, from 1 July 2025, supply of measles-containing vaccines will move from two suppliers (GSK and CSL) to one (only GSK). 

Arrangements from 1 July 2025

Vaccination providers:

• will continue to be able to place orders for CSL’s M-M-R® II (MMR), and Varivax (Varicella) until vaccine supply is exhausted in state and territory warehouses,
• will be able to order GSK’s Priorix (MMR), Priorix-Tetra (MMRV), and Varilrix (Varicella), and 
• are encouraged to continue to use their current stock of M-M-R® II and Varivax for vaccinations until it either expires or runs out.

Please note that there is no change to the immunisation schedule or the vaccine ordering process.

Health professionals and stakeholders are encouraged to subscribe to the Department's email list to receive the latest NIP updates.

Monday 16 June 2025

Change to measles vaccine supply arrangements

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has advised of a change to supply arrangements to states and territories under the NIP to take place from 1 July 2025. 

Key points

From 1 July 2025, supply of measles containing vaccines will move from 2 suppliers (GSK and CSL) to 1 (only GSK). 

From 1 July 2025, vaccination providers:

• will not be able to place new orders for CSL’s M-M-R® II (MMR), and Varivax (Varicella)

• will only be able to order GSK’s Priorix (MMR), Priorix-Tetra (MMRV), and Varilrix (Varicella). 

• should continue to use their current stock of M-M-R® II and Varivax until it either expires or runs out.

There is no change to the vaccination schedule or the ordering process.

Wednesday 16 April 2025

Additional CMO advice regarding measles vaccination

The CMO has written to remind vaccination providers that, in addition to the NIP funded measles vaccines, some states and territories also fund measles-containing vaccine for specific cohorts. Dependent on the state or territory, these cohorts may include:

• children aged 6 months to less than 12 months who are travelling to a country where measles is endemic or outbreaks are occurring, and
• adults born during or after 1966.

Providers are reminded to confirm whether your patient is eligible for a free vaccine under local arrangements during routine individual risk assessments.

Specific information on Queensland's Vaccination Program

The CMO has encouraged providers to assist patients in checking what vaccines have been received in the past 30 years. It is particularly important to check vaccination status before travelling to areas experiencing a measles outbreak. 

While this information may be available on a patient’s Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) record, historical vaccination data may be limited. This is because the AIR only records vaccines from 1996 onwards and mandatory reporting requirements came into effect in 2021. 

Individuals can check their Immunisation History Statement for any vaccinations they have received that have been reported to the AIR, by using their Medicare online account, through myGov or the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.

Additional clinical guidance on measles is available in the Australian Immunisation Handbook chapter on Measles: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/contents/vaccine-preventable-diseases/measles

To help determine whether adults should receive a catch-up vaccine, the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance has prepared a guide for immunisation providers. This guidance is available at https://ncirs.org.au/measles-vaccination-catch-up-guide

Tuesday 15 April 2025

Chief Medical Officer Prof Anthony Lawler has written with concerns regarding the declining measles vaccination rate despite an increase in cases

Below is a summary of the letter. 

Australia has recently seen a concerning increase in the number of confirmed measles cases. Specifically, in unvaccinated and under-vaccinated adults aged 20 to 49 years. Additionally, vaccination rates have declined across all cohorts and are below the 95 per cent recommended for herd immunity.

Measles is a serious disease and highly infectious. In Australia it is easily preventable with two doses of the combination measles vaccine providing 99 per cent protection against infection.

Research shows that a positive recommendation from a trusted health professional is an important factor in people choosing to accept vaccination. The Department of Health and Aged Care urges vaccination providers to:

• speak with their patients about the critical role of immunisation in preventing measles and encourage vaccination, and 
• check their patients are up to date with immunisations and provide vaccination/s if required.

Catch-up vaccinations are available for free under the NIP for eligible people up to 20 years and humanitarian entrants or refugees of any age. The measles vaccine can also be purchased privately by patients who are not eligible for free vaccines under the NIP.

More information about measles vaccines available under the NIP and catch-up vaccinations is available at health.gov.au/immunisation.

Read the full letter