Measles vaccination
Measles is a highly infectious virus infection that now occurs rarely in Australia.
Normally caught in childhood, the illness usually shows up with a high temperature, harsh cough, runny nose, red sore eyes and a widespread blotchy red rash. The patient is often very sick for a few days, and occasional deaths can occur through complications such as meningitis or pneumonia. However, thanks to widespread vaccination, deaths due to measles are now very rare in Australia.
All children should now be protected against this disease through immunisation. Measles vaccine is usually given at the ages of one year and 4 years, in combination with mumps and rubella (German measles) vaccines. This combined vaccine is called MMR vaccine. It is safe and readily available.
If your children are not fully protected against these potentially serious diseases, discuss it with the doctor.
Last Reviewed: 18 November 2009
- 1. Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, National Health and Medical Research Council [website]. The Australian Immunisation Handbook, 9th Edition. 3.11 Measles (updated 2008, Mar 26). http://immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/Handbook-measles (accessed 2009, Nov 20)
