Measles immunisation program

Recommended groups

• Children aged 12 months and over
• Adolescents and adults born after 1965 who have not already received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine. Particularly those who are:
  • planning to travel overseas – naturally occurring measles has been eliminated from WA for approximately 20 years but occasional cases and small outbreaks still occur, usually associated with tourists or WA residents who are infected overseas. Measles is common in many overseas countries and cases have been increasing worldwide, so it is particularly important for people to receive the vaccine before travelling overseas as they are at increased risk of infection.
  • planning to get pregnant – pregnant women and their babies are at increased risk of complications from measles infection such as miscarriage, early labour and stillbirth. To protect themselves and their baby, women should get vaccinated against measles at least 4 weeks before trying to get pregnant
• Healthcare workers and those working with children
• Workers in long-term care facilities and correctional facilities

• Why is the vaccine available to those born after 1965?

  • The program addresses an important gap in the community's protection against measles. People born before 1966 are usually immune to measles due to having the illness as a child and people 19 years of age and younger are already eligible for free measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination through the National Immunisation Program.

Eligibility for free MMR vaccine

The National Immunisation Program and WA Department of Health provides free MMR vaccine for people most at risk. This includes:

• Routine immunisation of children at 12 months and 18 months.
• Individuals born after 1965 who have not already received two doses of MMR vaccine.
• Infants aged 6 months to under 12 months, who are travelling overseas to countries experiencing a measles outbreak (after an individual risk assessment), or to infants between 6 and 12 months of age if they have recently been exposed to someone with measles while they were infectious.

Clinical guidance

Refer to the Measles chapter in The Australian Immunisation Handbook.

If an infant receives an MMR vaccine early, they will still need another 2 doses of MMR after 12 months of age. They should receive the next dose of MMR vaccine at 12 months of age or 4 weeks after the 1^st dose, whichever is later. They should receive their final dose of measles-containing vaccine as MMRV vaccine at 18 months of age as routinely recommended.

Coadministration

This is a live vaccine, so please adhere to the principles of administering a live vaccine e.g. do not administer to certain groups, such as those with lowered immunity, or pregnant women. See table from the Australian Immunisation Handbook (external site).

For immunocompetent individuals, the MMR vaccine can be administered at the same time as other vaccines such as the influenza vaccine or routine vaccinations.

Provider reporting

Mandatory reporting to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)

It is mandatory for all immunisation providers to report all National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccines administered.

Immunisation providers who administer other government-funded or private vaccines, should report vaccines administered to ensure individuals can access a complete record through their AIR immunisation history statement (external site) and so that their future vaccination needs can be managed appropriately. 

New immunisation providers can find more information on Immunisation provider information and resources.

It is also good practice to record it on your clinic records and infant Purple Book if being utilised.

Reporting adverse events following immunisation (AEFI)

Reporting of AEFIs to the Western Australia Vaccine Safety Surveillance (WAVSS) system is a condition of Structured Administrations and Supply Arrangements (SASAs) that provide the authority for immunisation providers to safely administer vaccinations in WA.

Immunisation providers who become aware of an AEFI should use the SAFEVAC Reporting (external site) to notify the WAVSS.

Please visit AEFI for further information about AEFI reporting and surveillance

Vaccine ordering

You must be a registered immunisation provider in WA to order government-funded vaccines in accordance with the WA Immunisation Schedule. Please see Vaccine Ordering for more information on how to become a WA Health Immunisation Service Provider and how to order vaccines.

Patient information

Eligible persons can receive the MMR vaccine through their Community Pharmacist, GP, Aboriginal Medical Service, travel clinic or community health immunisation clinics.

Infants aged 6 months to under 12 months travelling overseas are eligible for a free MMR vaccine dose. This program is delivered through general practice (GP) or in travel clinics. Other providers, such as community health clinics and pharmacies are not administering MMR under this program but are encouraged to advise families and  guardians about the availability of pre-travel MMR vaccination of infants aged > 6 months