Pertussis rates are continuing to rise across all Australian state and territories as vaccination numbers fall to the lowest levels in 10 years, according to new data from the Productivity Commission. The latest Report on Government Services (RoGS) shows that in 2024-25 the proportion of children fully immunised under the National Immunisation Program was among the lowest since 2015-16.

The Medical Republic

Despite strong national immunisation programs, Australia continues to experience persistent and, in some cases, worsening undervaccination across several vaccine-preventable diseases. To address this, the Immunisation Coalition has released a new report outlining practical, evidence-aligned recommendations to improve vaccine uptake among populations eligible under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

The Advisory Group Recommendations for Addressing Undervaccination in NIP-Eligible Populations report focuses on four priority disease areas where coverage gaps remain: COVID-19, influenza, pneumococcal disease and pertussis. These diseases were selected due to declining vaccination rates, ongoing disease burden, and missed opportunities for prevention—particularly among older adults, young children, people with medical risk conditions, pregnant women and residents of aged care facilities.

Developed through expert consensus, the report brings together insights from clinicians, public health specialists, pharmacists, nurses, researchers and industry representatives. Rather than revisiting why vaccination is important, the report concentrates on how to improve delivery, outlining clear, implementable actions that align with the National Immunisation Strategy 2025–2030.

Key themes across the recommendations include:

• Better use of data and the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) to identify and recall people who are due or overdue for vaccination
• Strengthening vaccination delivery in primary care, aged care and community settings
• Improving access through coordinated programs, funded immunisation coordinators and expanded provider roles
• Providing tailored, fit-for-purpose education for patients, carers and healthcare professionals
• Supporting scalable pilot programs that can be evaluated and expanded nationally

The report is intended to support policymakers, healthcare providers and stakeholders by offering practical solutions that can be actioned now, helping to close coverage gaps and reduce avoidable illness, hospitalisation and death.

Read the full report to explore the recommendations in detail and understand how targeted, system-level changes can strengthen Australia’s immunisation landscape.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation recently updated advice to recommend that infants aged six to 11 months receive an additional dose of a measles-containing vaccine when travelling overseas.

Where an infant aged 6 to 11 months receives an MMR dose before travelling overseas, the dose needs to be repeated. This means that these infants need 2 further doses of measles-containing vaccine. They should receive the next dose of MMR vaccine at 12 months of age or 4 weeks after the 1st 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.

Outbreaks of measles continue in many countries. Australians travelling overseas may be at risk of infection with measles. This includes travelers to popular tourist destinations; for example, periodic outbreaks of measles continue to be reported in Indonesia, including Bali.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd – Measles vaccination advice

NSW Health is advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of a confirmed case who was infectious while visiting several locations in Sydney.

The case recently returned from South-East Asia, where there are ongoing outbreaks of measles in several countries including Indonesia.

People who attended the following locations should watch for the development of symptoms. These locations do not pose an ongoing risk.

• Sydney Metro and T4 Train Lines – Macquarie University Station to Edgecliff Station via Martin Place Station at various dates and times between Wednesday 3 and Saturday 8 December
• Gran Torino Restaurant, 24 Bay St, Double Bay at various dates and times between Wednesday 3 and Saturday 6 December
• Macquarie Centre Food Court, Waterloo Rd Macquarie Park, between 3:30 and 5:30 on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 December

The full list of locations and times is on the NSW Health website.

Northern Sydney Local Health Public Health Unit Director, Dr Michael Staff, said anyone who visited the above locations at those times should monitor for symptoms.

“Measles is a vaccine preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes," Dr Staff said.

“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes, runny nose and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body.

“It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it's important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms up until 27 December.

“If they develop symptoms, they should call ahead to their GP or emergency department to ensure they do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients."

“We want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. The measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough."

“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine. This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment," Dr Staff said.

The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective, and is given free for children at 12 and 18 months of age. It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn't already had two doses.

Children under the age of 12 months can have a dose of MMR from six months of age if they are travelling overseas. Parents should consult their GP.

People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe. This is particularly important prior to travel. MMR vaccine is available from GPs (all ages) and pharmacies (people over 5 years of age).

For more information on measles, view the measles factsheet .

If you, or a loved one, is experiencing measles symptoms, or have questions about measles, please call your GP or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

ATAGI has released advice regarding the importance and safety of Hepatitis B vaccine at birth. The statement is available on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

On 4^th December, NSW Health issued a Media Release regarding the first 2025-2026 summer season detection of Japanese Encephalitis virus in mosquitoes in rural Victoria.

• NSW residents urged to take care this mosquito season [4 December 2025]

NSW Health's Acting Director of Health Protection, Dr Stephen Conaty, said these detections so early in the summer season are concerning.

“Mosquito numbers will likely increase with warmer weather, and we remind everyone in NSW to protect themselves against mosquito bites, which can cause diseases such as Japanese Encephalitis and Murray Valley Encephalitis, and infection with Kunjin virus, Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus," Dr Conaty said.

NSW Health have also sent a Provider Alert to all Immunisation providers in NSW asking them to be alert to the increased risk of mosquito borne diseases and promote vaccination.

For information on eligibility criteria for funded JE vaccine https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/jev/Pages/vaccination.aspx

Provider tookit https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/jev/Documents/jev-vaccination-toolkit.pdf

For information on eligibility criteria for funded JE vaccine https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/jev/Pages/vaccination.aspx

The NCIRS guide on vaccine recommendations for pregnant women provides current vaccine recommendations for pregnant women in Australia. It summarises the latest recommendations, safety information and key clinical considerations based on gestational age in one easy-to-use resource. Vaccine recommendations for pregnant women – a guide for health professionals

This updated measles vaccination guide provides clear, easy-to-follow guidance for immunisation providers. The resource simplifies assessment by outlining measles vaccination requirements based on age and previous number of doses. Measles vaccination – a guide for immunisation providers | NCIRS