Study warns of measles risk with 1.7 million Australians vulnerable

A study estimates that 1.7 million Australians are currently susceptible to measles, according to 2019 data. The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) paper, to be published today, warns that this susceptibility is particularly high for key age groups of Australians born from the late 1970s onwards. The study, which combines blood sample testing of measles immunity with vaccination data, represents the most comprehensive national estimate of measles susceptibility currently possible.

It found that overall measles immunity in Australia was 93.3 per cent, which epidemiologist Adrian Esterman described as a "warning sign". Australia achieved measles elimination status in 2014, but there have been imported cases in overseas visitors and returning residents. The World Health Organization recommends a vaccine coverage of 93-95 per cent to establish herd immunity and prevent the spread of measles.

The paper identified several key age groups with higher levels of susceptibility to measles, including infants and young children, people aged 42-49 years, 31-33 years, and 25-26 years. The most significant gaps in immunisation coverage are found in those born around the year 2000, as well as those born in 1993, 1994, and 1995, who were the last to receive the second dose of measles-containing vaccine.

Professor Esterman emphasized that the numbers are concerning and that Australia needs to be worried about the potential for more measles outbreaks. Travelers are at a higher risk of bringing measles into Australia, with many cases coming from people who have visited Asia, where there are large measles outbreaks. The paper urges all adults in the at-risk age groups to get another measles vaccine and for travelers to check their measles vaccination records.