Call to consider measles vaccination in all patients aged 20-59

November 26, 2025

The South East Public Health Unit is urging GPs to proactively consider measles vaccination for all patients aged 20-59 without documented evidence of two doses on AIR. 

This follows multiple measles cases across Australia in recent weeks, with cases of local transmission and cases who acquired infection during travel overseas, where large outbreaks are occurring.

 In Victoria, free routine and catch-up MMR vaccines are funded for children aged 6-11 months who have planned overseas travel and all people born during or since 1966 without evidence of receiving two documented doses of valid measles containing vaccine. This includes patients without a Medicare card.

It is likely Australian-born patients aged 33-59 have received only one dose. SEPHU recommends giving MMR rather than doing serology first to check immunity. 

You can order state-funded MMR vaccine through the standard Onelink online portal. If ordering large amounts, please add ‘Enhanced measles adult program’ to the order note. Please contact sephu.trace@monashhealth.org for further information.

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