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

From 5 September, GPs will not be required to use the ‘nirsevimab order form’ on the NSW State Vaccine Centre (SVC) ordering portal when ordering nirsevimab 50mg.

GPs can now order a maximum of 2 doses of nirsevimab 50mg directly from the SVC ordering portal as part of their monthly routine vaccine order.

This change will enable GPs to provide nirsevimab opportunistically to eligible at-risk infants who miss their birth dose of nirsevimab prior to discharge from hospital. Review patient eligibility for nirsevimab on the NSW Health website.

Due to limited supply, GPs will need to continue to order nirsevimab 100mg through the Nirsevimab Order Form on the portal.

If you have any questions about the program including the nirsevimab ordering process, please contact Immunisation Unit, Health Protection NSW at MoH-VaccReport@nsw.health.gov.au.

With the inclusion of Prevenar 20 to replace Prevenar 13 and Pneumovax 23 on the childhood schedule under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), it is a good time to order resources for your patients. These resources help parents and carers in remembering when the next vaccines are due, ensuring scheduled vaccines are administered on time.

Order resources to your practice via the following links:

• Childhood vaccinations consumer brochure
• NIP childhood schedule fridge magnet card
• Following vaccination – what to expect and what to do

A reminder to also direct parents and carers to the Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) webpage if they have further questions regarding scheduled vaccinations.

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The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has announced changes to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) childhood pneumococcal schedule, following advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).

From 1 September 2025, Prevenar 20 will replace Prevenar 13 and Pneumovax 23. All First Nations children will now receive 4 doses, ensuring national consistency.

From 1 September 2025, children should receive Prevenar 20 based on their current vaccination status:

• Non-First Nations children without risk conditions, who are yet to start the pneumococcal schedule should receive 3 doses of Prevenar 20 at 2,4 and 12 months of age.
• All First-Nations children and children diagnosed with any risk conditions listed in the Australian Immunisation Handbook, who are yet to start the pneumococcal schedule, should receive Prevenar 20 at 2,4,6 and 12 months of age.
• All children who have received 1 or 2 doses of Prevenar 13 should receive Prevenar 20 for all subsequent doses to complete the recommended vaccination course (where required).
• Children who have completed their vaccination course with Prevenar 13 and are due for any dose of Pneumovax 23 should receive 1 dose of Prevenar 20 instead. Pneumovax 23 may still be used while stock remains available.
• Children aged ≥12 months – ≤17 years newly diagnosed with any risk conditions listed in the Australian Immunisation Handbook should receive Prevenar 20 at diagnosis.

Further information

National Immunisation Program - Childhood pneumococcal vaccine program advice for health professionals

National Immunisation Program - Childhood pneumococcal vaccine consumer fact sheet

National Immunisation Program - Childhood pneumococcal vaccination frequently asked questions

National Immunisation Program Schedule

These materials will be linked to the relevant pages on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing when they become available online on 1 September 2025.

Research Organisation

University of Sydney

Summary

Researchers at the University of Sydney are investigating the use of private vaccines. This refers to vaccines that are recommended for certain patients, but not funded by government programs.

They are interviewing fellowed GPs in NSW about their experiences of these vaccines and the barriers and enablers to their use. Participating in the research involves a 30-45 minute interview over zoom, and participants will receive a $100 electronic gift card in recognition of their time.

Please contact Dr. Lucy Coles, Academic GP Registrar, by email at lucy.coles@sydney.edu.au if you are interested in participating.

Approved by USYD HREC 2025/HE000162

Research Tool

• Interview