Infants should receive an additional measles vaccine if they are travelling overseas, new advice states.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) now recommends that infants who will travel overseas should receive an additional dose of a measles-containing vaccine (MMR vaccine) between six to 11 months.
An increasing number of measles cases are being recorded in returned overseas travellers in Australia.
ATAGI’s updated measles vaccination advice provided by Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd noted that periodic outbreaks of measles continue to be reported in popular tourist destinations such as Bali.
Western Australia recorded 62 cases of measles in 2025, a huge increase on the 12 cases recorded in total across the three years prior.
Most Australians receive two doses of the MMR vaccine as part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP) Schedule at 12 and 18 months of age.
Two doses provide 99% protection against illness and serious health complications.
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“Where an infant aged 6 to 11 months receives an MMR dose before travelling overseas, the dose needs to be repeated,” Professor Kidd said in a statement.
“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.
“It is not necessary to repeat an early dose if it was given at greater than 11 months but before 12 months of age.”
This additional vaccination for infants can be provided free of charge, according to WA Health.
The MMR vaccine is free under the NIP for children at 12 months and 18 months of age, people aged under 20 years old needing catch-up vaccinations as well as refugees and humanitarian entrants of any age.
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