Pre-travel consult? Make measles immunity a priority

Measles is increasing globally with outbreaks occurring in many popular travel destinations such as Indonesia, Vietnam, New Zealand, UK, USA, Canada, and Thailand and surrounding countries.

Vaccination is the best way to protect against measles, and two doses of a measles-containing vaccine are required to be protected. Under-vaccinated travelers risk both contracting measles and spreading the virus internationally and within Australia.

Clinicians are encouraged to check the measles immune status of any patient travelling overseas, regardless of the travel destination.  Unlike other travel vaccines, the measles vaccine is provided free by the state government for:

• All adults born during or after 1966  who are missing  two doses of a measles-containing vaccine or are unsure of immunity.  It is safe to give another MMR vaccine if a person has lost their childhood vaccine record.
• Infants aged 6 to 12 months if they are going to a country where measles is circulating.  They will still need their routine 12- and 18-month doses under the National Immunisation Program to ensure lifelong immunity.

Primary care practitioners can support pre-travel measles vaccination by:

• Assessing and offering catch-up MMR vaccination to eligible adults, especially before travel overseas
• Offering early MMR vaccine for infants aged 6 to 12 months if traveling to an area with measles circulating
• Adding state-funded MMR vaccine to your next fortnightly OneLink order
• Downloading or printing promotional resources here to display at your practice.  Free poster printing and delivery is available to practices located within the NEPHU catchment by ordering here.

There is no need to check measles serology prior to vaccination.

The live-attenuated MMR vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy or for individuals with severe immunocompromise.

This program supplements the National Immunisation Program which offers free Commonwealth funded catch up MMR to people aged less than 20 years and refugees and humanitarian entrants of any age who are not fully immunised.

Need more information?

• Visit https://nephu.org.au/news-and-events/measles-immunisation-program-launched/
• Watch Response to measles outbreak: Adult measles immunisation program webinar, hosted by EMPHN. The slideset is also available.
• Read information sheet and FAQs for clinicians
• Email healthprotection.nephu@austin.org.au