Communicable disease control
Supporting measles vaccination in adults aged 20-59 years
The Western Public Health Unit (WPHU) is leading a measles (MMR) vaccination campaign across Melbourne’s west.
This page provides clinical guidance, communication materials, and operational support for providers delivering MMR vaccines to staff and the community.
Campaign overview
Measles cases are rising overseas and in Melbourne. We are now seeing imported cases and local transmission of measles to people who have not travelled. Risk of measles may be even higher in travellers, people from migrant families and First Nations peoples in the western suburbs.
Adults aged 20-59 years born in Australia and adults born overseas are more likely to be under-vaccinated and at risk of measles. This is because childhood immunisation schedules in Australia and overseas have not always included two doses of the MMR vaccine. Up to 50% of adults aged 20-59 years in the western suburbs do not have documented evidence of two MMR vaccines on their official Australian Immunisation Register record.
In response, adult catch-up vaccination initiatives are being coordinated by all local public health units (LPHUs), in partnership with the Victorian Department of Health, across the state to increase MMR vaccination rates.
To find out more about other local campaigns, click here.
How you can support the WPHU MMR campaign
WPHU are asking vaccine providers to help deliver over 10,000 vaccines to adults aged 20-59 in the WPHU catchment by July 2026.
Health services and local councils within WPHU catchment
State-funded catch-up vaccination is available for anyone aged 20-59 without two documented doses of MMR (regardless of Medicare status) and can be ordered through standard OneLink process.
Reimbursement of $20.05 per vaccine delivered to this age group in the WPHU region (Brimbank, Hobson’s Bay, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Melton, Moonee Valley, Merri-bek and Wyndham) is available for vaccine providers who are not otherwise eligible to receive a Medicare rebate.
Please contact WPHU at wphu@wh.org.au or on 1800 497 111 if your organisation is able to support this effort and to discuss the claims and reimbursement process.
To support promoting the campaign, downloadable communication materials are available below.
GP practices within WPHU catchment
WPHU are grateful for the efforts of general practice in protecting the community against measles, with general practices providing 80% of MMR vaccination for adults over the last few years.
The Western Public Health Unit (WPHU) requests general practices take all possible opportunities to vaccinate this adult cohort against measles, such as by making MMR available on request, through bookings or through a check and offer when patients are at the practice for other reasons.
Key aspects of the campaign
- State-funded catch-up vaccination is available for anyone aged 20-59 without two documented doses of MMR (regardless of Medicare status) and can be ordered through standard OneLink processes.
- Serological testing is not required or recommended prior to vaccination; testing first can create a delay in vaccination.
- Measles-containing vaccine is contraindicated in people who are pregnant, are severely immunocompromised, or have had anaphylaxis to any component of an MMR vaccine.
WPHU has developed a poster and flyer that can be printed and displayed in waiting rooms. Practices are welcome to modify the poster wording to their processes (e.g. “Ask at reception today” or “Book now” for example). To download, see below.
Please get in touch if you have any questions, requests or suggestions regarding measles, MMR vaccination or this campaign. Please email wphu@wh.org.au or phone 1800 497 111.
Communication materials
Ready-to-use, distributable materials to support your staff and community outreach.
General MMR poster
Parent targeted MMR poster
Healthcare workforce targeted MMR poster
Workforce targeted MMR poster
FAQs
Do I need to test my patient or staff member first before giving an MMR vaccine?
MMR vaccine is safe, and a test is unnecessary and can delay vaccination and make it less likely a person gets protected. Remember that MMR cannot be given to a pregnant patient or a person with a history of anaphylaxis to components of the vaccine.
The Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) only started getting used for adults in 2016. I’ve checked and my patient doesn’t have a record of two doses of MMR on their AIR record, but aren’t they still okay?
WPHU recommends that if a person has no clear documentation to hand that proves they have received two measles-containing vaccines or are measles immune, and their AIR record does not show receipt of two measles-containing vaccines, that they are offered an MMR without further delay.
Contact
For any queries contact the Western Public Health Unit on 1800 497 111 Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5pm.
Last updated: 24 December 2025