Six further cases of measles were notified this week, bringing the total to eight cases in two weeks. Five cases were locally acquired and one case was in a traveller to New Zealand. Given the large number of people potentially exposed, further measles cases could present in Brisbane or elsewhere over the next few weeks.

General practices should prepare for an increase in patient’s presenting for measles vaccinations. Patients have inaccurately recalled their vaccination status for measles, so it is essential that vaccine records are sighted. The following people should be targeted for vaccines:

• travellers heading to or returning from New Zealand, including babies from six months of age
• unvaccinated young adults
• staff
• opportunistic vaccination to all eligible patients.

You can click here to view the Logan City Council Immunisation Clinics.

Measles vaccination recommendations
The Australian Immunisation Handbook provides the following recommendations for measles vaccination:

• all children aged ≥12 months are recommended to receive two doses of measles-containing vaccine (at 12 and 18 months schedule points).
• infants as young as 6 months old can receive MMR vaccine ahead of travel to highly endemic areas and during outbreaks (vaccine not funded and will need their usual 12 month vaccination).
• adolescents and adults born during or since 1966 are recommended to have received two doses of measles-containing vaccine (vaccine funded).
• travellers in the above age group are strongly recommended to ensure they have received two doses of measles-containing vaccine before travel.
• if it is uncertain whether a person has either a history of natural measles immunity or received two doses of measles-containing vaccine, they can safely receive MMR vaccine without serological testing.

Click here to view the Measles Vaccination Catch-up Guide.

Contact Queensland Health (QHIP) for MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine stock queries.

Please ensure that anyone who presents with symptoms suggestive of measles has a mask placed on them prior to immediate isolation to minimise exposure to others. For more information on measles please visit the Queensland Health Page or contact Public Health ph: 3156 4000 (business hours) or on 3176 2111 (after hours).