Measles vaccination rate decline despite increase in cases
The Department of Health and Aged Care has provided advice for health professionals and stakeholders to reverse the declining measles vaccination rate despite an increase in cases.
Wednesday 16 April 2025
Additional CMO advice regarding measles vaccination.
The CMO has written to remind vaccination providers that, in addition to the National Immunisation Program 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.