ATAGI updates measles advice

Infants should receive an additional dose of a measles-containing vaccine (MMR vaccine) when travelling overseas, according to updated advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).
 
Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd said Australians travelling overseas may be at risk of infection with measles, including travellers to popular tourist destinations such as Bali.
 
‘Where an infant aged 6–11 months receives an MMR dose before travelling overseas, the dose needs to be repeated,’ he said.
 
‘This means that these infants need two further doses of measles-containing vaccine. They should receive the next dose of MMR vaccine at 12 months of age or four weeks after the first 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.’
 
Professor Kidd said it is not necessary to repeat an early dose if it was given at greater than 11 months but before 12 months of age.
 
The call comes as measles outbreaks continue across the globe.
 
In 2025, 181 cases were reported in Australia – 63 in Western Australia, 37 in New South Wales, 36 in Victoria, 34 in Queensland, seven in South Australia, three in Tasmania, and one in the Northern Territory.
 
Already in 2026, six measles cases have been reported – five in Queensland and one in Victoria.

Several states have now issued fresh warnings with state governments releasing long lists of exposure sites, including many at hospitals and airports. 
 
The MMR vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program for: 

• children at 12 months and 18 months of age
• people aged under 20 years old needing catch-up vaccinations
• refugees and humanitarian entrants of any age.

ATAGI Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation measles MMR vaccine