Measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious illness. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are the best way to protect yourself, your family and the community.
In recent years, there has been an increase in measles cases in Victoria and around the world. It is important to ensure that you and your family have had two doses of the measles-containing vaccine (MMR) to prevent the spread and avoid serious illness. If you haven’t had two doses, or you don’t know, get vaccinated.
The Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit (LMPHU) will be providing free MMR vaccinations for eligible people, funded by the Victorian Department of Health. Adults aged 20-60 years (born during or after 1966) without two documented MMR doses are eligible for a free vaccination as part of this program. No Medicare card is required.
You may not have received two doses of the MMR vaccine, and are therefore at increased risk of measles, if:
You were born between 1966 to 1992
You were born overseas (where vaccination schedules may differ)
Find out how to check your vaccination status here.
We are currently working with local services to offer free vaccination to eligible people at community health services, councils, ACCHOs and for healthcare staff at their workplace across the Loddon Mallee Region. Details on where to go and how to book will be available on this website soon.
At this stage, you can access free MMR vaccination at your local healthcare provider, but there may be an administration or consultation fee.
Measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious illness. In recent years, there has been an increase of measles cases in Victoria and around the world. It is important to ensure that you and your patients have had two doses of the measles-containing vaccine (MMR) to prevent the spread and avoid serious illness.
The LMPHU, in partnership with the Victorian Department of Health (DH), is commissioning large Healthcare Services, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), Community Health Services and Councils to deliver free MMR vaccination to their staff and the community.
The following specific priority groups who are eligible for a free vaccination as part of this state funded initiative are:
People aged 20-60 years (born during or after 1966)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
International migrants (e.g. international students) without documented vaccination history
Travellers (heading overseas or returning home)
People born between 1966 and 1992 are generally considered at higher risk of being under-immunised due to changes in the MMR vaccination schedule introduced in 1992. People born overseas may also be at increased risk, as immunisation schedules and vaccine availability can differ from those in Australia.
Individuals born before 1966 are generally considered to have natural immunity. Other groups, such as those under 20 years of age, refugees and humanitarian entrants, are eligible for free vaccination as part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP), provided they have a Medicare card.
For more information on MMR eligibility, visit the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
At this stage, we are only commissioning Community Health Services, Councils, Health services, and ACCHOs in our Loddon Mallee catchment to provide free vaccines. If you are a GP or other service not described above, you can still access free MMR vaccines from the Department of Health through Onelink.
For more information on measles including suspected cases, control of cases and contacts and ordering vaccines, visit Measles | health.vic.gov.au