Are you covered for measles?

Key points

Measles outbreaks with community transmission are occurring in Victoria.
People born before 1992 may not be fully immunised.
Free boosters are available today at all our community immunisation sessions.

What's happening?

Victoria is currently experiencing outbreaks of measles with transmission in the community. The Victorian Chief Health Officer has advised people to check their immunisation history to ensure they are up-to-date with measles immunisation.

The current recommendation for all adults born after 1966 is

  • two doses of measles-containing vaccine,
  • both given over 12 months of age,
  • each given at least 1 month apart.

I had all my childhood vaccines - why do I need to check? 

In Australia, measles vaccination changed in the early 1990s from one dose to two doses. This means lots of adults born before 1992 have not had two doses in their lifetime.

You may need to find records from the time to confirm your measles status. Any vaccines you had before 1997 can't be added to Medicare's Australian Immunisation Register, so you'd need to find your baby book or other paper records.

Vaccine schedules are different worldwide, so if you were not born in Australia the year of the change might be different. Australia was one of the earliest countries to bring in a second dose of MMR in 1992.

Measles vaccine is commonly given in combination with mumps and rubella, documented as "MMR" or "MR".

I'm not sure if I had two doses - what should I do?

The Australian Immunisation Handbook says that adults who do not have evidence of immunity to measles should get a measles vaccine. Today, measles vaccine is always given in combination with mumps and rubella (MMR).

If you had the vaccine as a child but can't find your records, it is safe to have a booster. There is no evidence showing an increase in reactions or side effects for people who already have immunity to any of the diseases covered by the MMR vaccine.

You can look at the NCIRS measles vaccine decision support tool to help you make an informed choice.

We have the MMR vaccine at all of our immunisation sessions, and it's free for everyone who needs it.

You are welcome to ask for one when attending for a child's vaccines, or you can make a plan to attend.

For session dates and times, visit our Immunisation Sessions page. For expert advice or assistance, call us on 8470 8562 or email immunise@darebin.vic.gov.au 

Higher vaccination rates in the community keep us all safe from serious disease, so check with others in your household to make sure they're also covered.

What other vaccines could I need?

Other vaccines routinely recommended for adults are:

  • Diphtheria, Tetanus & Whooping cough vaccine: boosters recommended every 5-10 years for all adults, and during every pregnancy.
  • Flu vaccine: recommended each year seasonally in April-June.
  • RSV vaccine: recommended each pregnancy.
  • Shingles vaccine: recommended for older adults.
  • Pneumococcal vaccine: recommended for older adults.

We can give all these vaccines in line with medical and funding recommendations. Contact us for more information on 8470 8562.

 

 

Back to top