Updated advice on the risk of measles in Victoria
Update issued: 22 Feb 2026 (Victorian Department of Health)
There is an increased risk of measles in Victoria, especially in metropolitan Melbourne. Local transmission has occurred in Melbourne among people with no recent overseas travel or known public exposure.
Recent measles cases have been infectious while visiting public exposure sites in Victoria. Listed exposure sites include but are not limited to: Northern Hospital – Emergency Department, Melton Health Hub – Urgent Care, Casey Hospital – Emergency Department, Monash Children’s Hospital.
Anyone who has attended a listed public exposure site during the specified dates and times should monitor for symptoms for up to 18 days after the exposure and seek medical care if symptoms develop.
In an emergency, always call triple zero (000)
Immunisations and Infection Prevention
Measles-containing vaccines are live attenuated vaccines. All people born during or after 1966 are recommended to receive 2 documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine, unless specific contraindications to live vaccines exist. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine provides safe and effective protection against measles.
The MMR vaccine is free through the National Immunisation Program and the Victorian Government funded program:
National Immunisation Program
- infants aged 12 months (MMR) and 18 months (MMRV – measles, mumps, rubella and varicella)
- catch-up for people up to and including 19 years, and refugees and humanitarian entrants of any age
- refer to the Australian Immunisation for recommendations for adults
- eligibility for free vaccines under the NIP is linked to eligibility for Medicare
Victorian Government funded program
- infants from 6 months and before 11 months of age prior to overseas travel. This dose is in addition to the scheduled MMR vaccine doses recommended at ages 12 (MMR) and 18 months (MMRV) under the NIP
- all people born during or after 1966 without documented evidence of receipt of 2 valid doses of measles containing vaccine or without serological evidence of immunity
- includes people not eligible for Medicare.
Community Focused Resources
North-Eastern Public Health Unit (NEPHU)
NEPHU, in partnership with the Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN), North-Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) and Local Councils, has initiated a measles vaccination project to increase the level of protection against measles among adults living within the NEPHU catchment.
NEPHU has developed a resource kit to support the roll-out of adult catch-up MMR vaccination.
Immunisation providers in the NEPHU catchment can order free poster printing and delivery of translated resources. Languages include Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Pashto, Persian, Urdu and more.
The Water Well Project
The Water Well Project provides free, interactive health education sessions facilitated by volunteer healthcare professionals. Sessions are face-to-face or delivered online; and are designed to be interactive, culturally-appropriate and encourage direct dialogue between community participants and healthcare professionals.
Professional interpreters can be requested for the sessions, if held within standard business hours on Monday-Friday.
Commonly delivered session topics are available here.