Measles often dominates news headlines worldwide — with good reason.

Measles is a common illness in different parts of the world. This includes destinations that Australians travel to, such as the Philippines, India, Pakistan, Indonesia (including Bali), Vietnam and Thailand. Measles is also common in parts of the Middle East and most of Africa.

There can also be outbreaks in Europe, the United Kingdom and North and South America.

Measles was very common in Australia before a vaccination was added to the childhood immunisation schedule in the mid-1970s.

In 2014, Australia was declared measles free. Sometimes outbreaks still occur when travellers are infected while overseas and bring measles back to Australia.

Measles, which is almost entirely preventable with 2 doses of a vaccine, has returned to places — such as Australia — where it had previously been eliminated.

Are you immune to measles?

You’re likely to be immune if you’re vaccinated against measles, or have already had measles.

Australian children are routinely given 2 doses of a vaccine that protects them against measles. The first dose is given at 12 months old and the second one at 18 months. The first dose also protects against mumps and rubella (often referred to as the 'MMR vaccine'), while the second dose also protects against mumps, rubella and chickenpox.

This vaccination program provides lifelong protection in 99 of every 100 people vaccinated.

Currently, about 91% of 2-year-olds in Australia have received these vaccinations, but for a community to be protected against measles, at least 95% of children need to have the 2 doses.

The measles vaccine was first introduced in the 1960s, but the 2-dose program wasn't introduced to Australia until the 1990s. So, people born between 1966 and 1994 may not have received 2 doses and are advised to talk to their doctor.

Migrants to Australia may have also missed out on the full dose of the measles vaccine.

People born before 1966 are likely to be protected by immunity to measles due to the disease being quite widespread at the time.

If you're not sure whether you're immune to measles, you can check your immunisation history with your GP or get a blood test. You can also search the Australian Immunisation Register for any vaccinations you may have received since 1 January, 1996 (when the register was set up).

If you think you may have had a measles vaccination earlier in life but are still not sure, it is safe to get another vaccination. Talk to your doctor.

Measles is worth worrying about

Measles is very contagious, infecting about 9 in 10 people who are not immunised who come into contact with it. It's spread via droplets from coughing and sneezing. You might become infected by breathing them in or touching a surface on which the droplets have settled, or through contact with an infected person.

The measles virus can survive on surfaces for hours. It can also be contracted by someone up to 2 hours after an infected person has left a room.

Symptoms of measles can include fever, cough, fatigue, feeling very unwell and a rash. But many people who get measles will experience complications, such as ear infections, diarrhoea or pneumonia, and may be hospitalised. About 1 in every 1,000 people with measles develops encephalitis, an infection of the brain that can lead to permanent brain damage or death.

Measles should not be underestimated. In 2022, an estimated 136,000 people died from measles globally — mostly children aged under 5 who weren’t fully vaccinated and other people who weren’t vaccinated at all.

Measles vaccines can cause side effects that are generally mild, such as a temperature, mild rash or the feeling of being unwell. But for most people, the chance of having a serious side effect from the vaccine is much lower than the chance of serious illness should they catch measles.

Check your immunity and help stop the spread of this preventable disease.

Where to get more information

• Talk to your GP about immunisation against measles.
• Check your or your child's vaccination history on the Australian Immunisation Register.
• Learn more about immunisation and find out if you're eligible for a free vaccine under the National Immunisation Program.

This post was originally published on 17 April 2019 and has been updated to include the most recent details on this topic.