Immunisation Weekly Update:

Welcome to our weekly Immunisation Update! In this week’s update, read about:

• Measles alert; ensure patients are travel ready  
• CESPHN webinar; Immunisation without borders  
• MenB Causes Most Invasive Meningococcal Disease Cases in Australia 
• Education  

Measles Alert: Ensure Patients Are Travel-Ready  

Healthcare providers are reminded to use upcoming summer holiday consultations as an opportunity to review measles immunity and promote catch-up vaccination, following a recent measles alert issued for Northern NSW.

The alert followed a confirmed case in a traveller who had recently returned from South-East Asia and visited multiple community locations while infectious. Measles remains one of the most highly contagious vaccine-preventable diseases and overseas travel continues to be a significant source of imported cases in Australia. 

Who should receive catch-up MMR vaccination? 

NSW Health provides free measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine for: 

• Individuals born during or after 1966 who have not received two documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine. 

• Individuals with an uncertain measles vaccination history. 

• Rubella-seronegative postnatal women. 

• Infants aged 6 months to less than 12 months travelling overseas, in accordance with Australian Immunisation Handbook recommendations.  

Many adults remain unaware of their vaccination status and may incorrectly assume childhood vaccination records are complete. A documented history of two doses of a measles-containing vaccine is generally required to ensure protection. 

Key message for general practice 

As international travel increases ahead of the summer holiday period, GPs are encouraged to opportunistically review measles immunity and offer catch-up MMR vaccination where indicated. A documented history of two doses of a measles-containing vaccine should be confirmed, particularly for patients born during or after 1966 and those planning overseas travel.  

Early identification of susceptible patients can help prevent importation, transmission and outbreaks of measles within the community. 

CESPHN webinar: Immunisation Without Borders – Measles resurgence, travel health and safeguarding Australia

Join us for a practical education session featuring Dr Anthea Katelaris and Dr Sarah McGuinness, who will explore the growing risk of measles importation into Australia, the impact of declining immunisation coverage, and strategies to protect patients through timely vaccination. 

The session will also provide practical guidance on conducting pre-travel risk assessments, applying current immunisation recommendations for measles and vaccine preventable diseases developing individualised vaccination plans based on traveller risk and itinerary. 

Whether you provide routine immunisations or travel health consultations, this webinar will equip you with evidence-based knowledge and practical tools to support safe travel and reduce the risk of vaccine-preventable disease in your community. 

Register Now 

Meningococcal B Continues to Account for the Majority of Invasive Meningococcal Disease Cases in Australia 

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a rare but serious infection that can cause meningitis and septicaemia with little warning. Recent Australian surveillance data show that serogroup B (MenB) accounted for 82% of all meningococcal cases with a known serogroup during the first half of 2025, highlighting that MenB remains the leading cause of IMD in Australia. 

In NSW, MenB vaccination is funded under the National Immunisation Program for  

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged under 2 years of age at the time of their first dose. Providers should review the recommended schedule in the Australian Immunisation Handbook.  

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with specific medical risk conditions.  

Patients who are not eligible for funded MenB vaccination may still receive the vaccine, as MenB vaccination is recommended for any person aged 6 weeks and above, which can be accessed through a private prescription. Healthcare providers should assess individual risk factors and eligibility when discussing meningococcal B vaccination. 

Education