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 Remains Leading Cause of Invasive Meningococcal Disease 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 vaccination history and promote catch-up vaccination, particularly following a recent measles alert issued for Northern NSW.

The alert followed a confirmed case of a recently returned traveller from South-East Asia, who 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) catch up vaccine for: 

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

• Rubella-seronegative postnatal women

• Infants aged 6 months to < 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 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 vaccination history and offer catch-up MMR vaccination where indicated

• Review measles vaccination contraindications and precautions prior to administration

• Confirm documentation of or administer two doses of a measles-containing vaccine in alignment with dose recommendations, particularly for patients planning overseas travel  

• Offer a funded 1 dose measles vaccination for infants 6 to <12 months of age prior to travelling overseas, in alignment with the Australian Immunisation Handbook recommendations

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 vaccine preventable diseases and 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 Remains the Leading Cause of Invasive Meningococcal Disease in Australia 

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a rare but serious infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, spread through respiratory droplets and can lead to 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 children 6 months and older with specific medical risk conditions may require an additional MenB dose
• All people with asplenia, hyposplenia, complement deficiency and treatment with eculizumab

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, and can be accessed through a private prescription. Healthcare providers should assess individual risk factors and eligibility when discussing meningococcal B vaccination. 

Education