If you thought measles was a thing of the past, you're not alone. Thanks to vaccines, Australia has made incredible progress towards eliminating this highly contagious disease. But lately, measles has been making an unwelcome comeback — both here and overseas.

You’ve probably heard about the classic red rash that’s often the first visible sign of measles. It usually starts on the face and spreads across the body, and while it might look harmless at first, measles is anything but a mild illness. It can cause serious complications, especially for young children who haven't been vaccinated and for pregnant women, who are at higher risk of severe illness if they catch it.

With outbreaks popping up across parts of Australia — and vaccination rates slipping below the safe target — it’s more important than ever to understand why checking your measles immunity matters, particularly if you're planning to travel. Here's what you need to know to stay protected, whether you're heading overseas or just being home.

Measles cases are rising in Australia — and worldwide

While measles was once close to being eliminated in Australia, the past few months have shown just how quickly things can change when vaccination rates dip and travel ramps up again.

In Western Australia, a measles alert was issued after 16 confirmed cases were recorded between 19 March and mid-April 2025. The cases were spread across metropolitan Perth and the South West region, with several exposure sites identified in public places like shopping centres and hospitals. Meanwhile, in Victoria, the number of measles cases reported so far this year has already surpassed the total number recorded across all of 2024, with health authorities warning that community transmission is becoming harder to contain.

Looking nationally, there’s a broader trend emerging too. So far this year, Australia has recorded 54 measles cases, already approaching the 57 cases reported for the whole of last year — and we’re not even halfway through 2025. It's not just measles making a comeback either. Influenza infections are also surging, with more than 60,000 flu cases reported across the country already, outpacing the same period in 2024.

Together, these numbers are a reminder that once-common illnesses are finding new footholds as our collective immunity dips — and that vaccination remains one of the best ways to stay protected.

Unfortunately, it’s not just a local issue. Globally, measles is making a major resurgence. According to the World Health Organization, there were an estimated 10.3 million measles cases worldwide in 2023 — a 20% jump compared to the previous year. Over the past 12 months alone, 138 countries have reported measles cases, and 61 countries have experienced large or disruptive outbreaks.

So what’s driving this rise?

It’s a combination of factors: lower vaccination coverage during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, increased international travel, and pockets of vulnerable communities where measles can spread quickly once it arrives.

Measles vaccination rates have dropped since the COVID-19 pandemic

One of the main reasons measles is making a comeback is that fewer people are protected than before. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, measles vaccination coverage across Australia has fallen below the national target of 95 per cent — the level needed to maintain herd immunity and keep outbreaks at bay.

There are a few reasons behind this dip.

During the pandemic, routine vaccination schedules were disrupted as healthcare services focused on COVID-19 response efforts. Some people delayed or missed childhood vaccinations altogether. On top of that, vaccine misinformation has unfortunately gained traction in some communities, causing more people to question vaccines that have been trusted for decades.

The result? More pockets of under-vaccinated individuals — which makes it much easier for measles to spread if it’s introduced into the community.

The good news is that protection against measles is simple and effective. Two doses of the measles-containing vaccine are about 99% effective at preventing infection. People who have received both doses, or those born before 1966 (when measles was common and widespread infection meant natural immunity), are generally considered protected.

If you’re unsure whether you’ve had both doses, it’s worth checking your immunisation records or talking to your GP. A quick blood test can also confirm your immunity — and if you’re not fully protected, catching up with vaccination is easy to organise across Australia.

Can you still get measles after being vaccinated?

It’s a fair question — and one that comes up often.

The short answer is: yes, but it’s extremely rare. Measles vaccination is very effective, especially after two doses. In fact, two doses of a measles-containing vaccine provide around 99% protection from infection. But like with most vaccines, there’s a small chance that someone could still get measles even if they’re fully vaccinated.

In the very rare cases where a vaccinated person does catch measles, the illness is usually much milder than in someone who hasn’t been vaccinated — and they’re also less likely to spread it to others.

This is another reason why high community vaccination rates matter so much. When more people are immune, the virus has fewer chances to spread — and that helps protect everyone, especially babies, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems who may not be able to get vaccinated themselves.

So while no vaccine offers 100% protection, being vaccinated still gives you the strongest defence — both for your own health and for those around you.

Why travellers are at higher risk

When it comes to measles, travellers are often the first to encounter risks — and sometimes the first to unknowingly bring it back home.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even just breathes in a shared space. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the room. That means you don't even need direct contact to catch it — simply being in the same place shortly after can be enough.

For travellers, this creates multiple points of exposure. Airports, crowded planes, train stations, public transport, tourist attractions — all are places where large groups of people from different countries mix closely together. If someone in that crowd is carrying measles, and you don't have strong immunity, the risk of infection is very real.

Adding to the concern is the fact that many countries around the world are experiencing significant outbreaks. The World Health Organization recently reported that the European region has seen the highest number of measles cases in more than 25 years, with hotspots across countries like Romania, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Additionally, a wide range of countries have reported active outbreaks in early 2025, including:

India
Pakistan
Indonesia
Yemen
Philippines
Nigeria
Ethiopia
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Sudan
Afghanistan
Somalia

Some parts of Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East are seeing particularly high case numbers. Even destinations popular with Australian travellers, like Indonesia and Thailand, have been affected.

It’s also important to remember that outbreaks can sometimes be reported after you’ve already booked your travel — so it's worth checking travel health advice regularly in the lead-up to your trip.

Another reason measles can be so tricky is that the symptoms don’t appear straight away. After exposure, it typically takes around 10 days for signs of infection to show up. And while the well-known blotchy red rash is a giveaway symptom, it's not usually the first thing you’ll notice. Measles often begins with a cold or flu-like illness that can last for two to four days before the rash appears.

Early symptoms of measles can include:

Fever
Cough
Runny nose
Sore, red eyes (conjunctivitis)
Feeling generally unwell and tired

Only after these initial symptoms does the distinctive red rash usually develop — spreading from the face down across the body.

Because it can take time for symptoms to appear, and because early signs can look like a common cold or flu, measles can easily spread before a person even realises they are infectious. This is part of why outbreaks in travel hubs and airports can move so quickly and unpredictably.

Who needs to be extra cautious?

People born after 1966 who may not have received two doses of measles vaccine
Adults unsure of their vaccination history
Young children who are too young to have completed their vaccinations
Pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems, who are at higher risk of severe measles complications

That’s why, if you're planning to travel — even domestically between Australian states where outbreaks are active — it’s important to check your vaccination status well ahead of time. A simple review of your immunisation records, or a quick catch-up vaccination, can offer strong protection and peace of mind.

How to protect yourself and your loved ones

Protecting yourself — and those around you — from measles is very much achievable. And it all starts with making sure you're fully vaccinated.

If you're unsure whether you've had two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, it’s worth checking your immunisation records or having a chat with your GP. In many cases, even if you’ve already been vaccinated, there’s no harm in having another dose for extra protection — especially if you're travelling or working in high-risk settings.

According to the Australian Immunisation Handbook, vaccination is recommended for several key groups:

Children at 12 months of age
Adolescents and adults born during or after 1966 who haven’t had two doses
Healthcare workers
Childhood educators and carers
Staff working in long-term care facilities
People who work in correctional facilities
Travellers heading to areas where measles outbreaks are common

If you’re a parent, it’s reassuring to know that the measles combination vaccine is provided free of charge under the National Immunisation Program for children at 12 months and again at 18 months. It’s a simple, routine step that offers strong protection early in life.

Catch-up vaccinations are also available. Eligible individuals under 20 years old, as well as refugees and other humanitarian entrants of any age, can receive a free catch-up vaccine if they missed out during childhood.

See more details on measles vaccination on the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

A few more ways to stay protected:

Make sure everyone in your household is up to date with their vaccinations.
Be mindful when travelling — check travel advisories and your vaccination status well before you go.
If you're feeling unwell after travelling (especially with symptoms like fever, cough, or rash), seek medical advice promptly and let your healthcare provider know about your travel history.
In outbreak areas, practising good hygiene, avoiding crowded indoor spaces where possible, and wearing a mask in high-risk settings can also help reduce your risk.

Stay protected — and help stop measles in its tracks

Measles is one of the world’s most preventable diseases — yet as we've seen here and around the world, it only takes a slip in vaccination rates for it to find a way back.

Protecting yourself, your family, and your community is simple. A quick check of your vaccination history, or even a quick check with your GP can give you peace of mind before you travel — and help stop measles in its tracks, both at home and abroad.

Even if you're not planning an overseas trip anytime soon, making sure your vaccinations are up to date is still a smart move. With cases rising in Australia, staying protected means you’re not only looking after your own health but also helping shield babies, older adults, and others who are more vulnerable to serious illness.

It’s a small step that makes a big difference — for you, and for all of us.

Be Travel-Ready and Measles-Safe with These Essentials

Travel Safe Pack (Small)

Stay safe on the move with this all-in-one kit, featuring AMD P2 masks, ViroCLEAR Hand Sanitiser, Clinell Antibacterial Hand Wipes, and Sonictec 3-in-1 COVID-19 and Influenza A/B rapid tests. No need to source items separately—this pack covers self-testing, hand hygiene, and surface cleaning, all meeting rigorous safety and performance standards for your peace of mind.

$35.52

$29.95

Buy Now

Travel Safe Pack (Family)

Keep your family covered on the go with this thoughtfully curated kit, including 4 Sonictec rapid tests, 10 AMD P2 masks, ViroCLEAR Hand Sanitiser, and 10 single Clinell Hand Wipes. Designed for convenient, hassle-free protection, every item meets high standards of safety and reliability, so you can travel with confidence and ease.

$71.04

$58.95

Buy Now

Good Riddance Basics Bundle

Comprehensive, natural insect protection, featuring three DEET-free essentials. Each product is thoughtfully formulated to be gentle on the skin and kind to the environment, and their compact sizes make them perfect for carrying in your bag or pocket—ideal for outdoor adventures and travel.

$64.85

$53.95

Buy Now

June 24 2025, by Tatianna Gerard Protect Yourself & Your Family: What to Know About Measles in 2025