THE current global increase in measles has led the Victorian Department of Health to urge people travelling overseas to ensure they are fully vaccinated against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases before they leave Australia.
These include hepatitis A, which has increased in returned travellers in recent months, and influenza and COVID.
Recent cases of measles in Australia have been linked with travel to Vietnam, while other popular travel destinations such as Thailand and India are also currently experiencing outbreaks.
The department says all travellers should ensure they have received two doses of measles-containing vaccine prior to travelling overseas.
Pharmacists in all states can provide the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine to adults for the purposes of travel, although Victorian pharmacists can only do so if they are participating in the Victorian Community Pharmacist Statewide Pilot.
The rules for vaccinating children vary from state to state, with no age restrictions in South Australia (PD 07 Feb), and age minimums of two years in Queensland, 10 years in Tasmania, 15 years in Victoria and five years in other states and territories.
The department also recommends that routine vaccinations, including any boosters, are up to date.
This includes MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough (pertussis), polio, and chickenpox (varicella) vaccines.
Some vaccine-preventable illnesses, such as hepatitis A and typhoid, occur more commonly in people returning to their country of birth or visiting friends and relatives, as they tend to stay longer, consume local food and drink, and have more interaction with locals.
The department cautions that mpox continues to spread in many countries, including Australia, and the risk of transmission linked to international travel remains.
Vaccination is recommended for travellers who are at greater risk of contracting the virus, although only pharmacists in NSW and Victoria are permitted to administer the vaccine, and must meet certain conditions. KB
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