Measles Epidemic Looms: Experts Warn of Devastating Comeback as Vaccination Rates Plummet in Australia
- Australia faces its highest measles count in six years, with 127 cases recorded nationwide so far this year
- Misinformation on social media and declining trust in vaccines have contributed to the alarming slide in childhood vaccination rates
- Experts warn that even a single imported case could spark a massive outbreak in areas with low vaccination coverage, putting young children and those with weakened immune systems at risk of severe illness and death
In a shocking turnaround, measles is making a terrifying comeback in Australia, with experts warning that the country is on the brink of a devastating epidemic. The highly contagious virus, once thought to be eradicated, has seen a resurgence in cases this year, with 127 reported nationwide – the highest count since 2019.
The alarming spike in measles cases has been linked to declining childhood vaccination rates, which have fallen below the national target of 95%. According to the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) Annual Immunisation Coverage Report 2024, coverage rates have dropped across all three childhood milestones, with 24-month coverage plummeting below 90% for the first time since 2016.
Professor Adrian Esterman, Chair of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of South Australia, described the virus as “one of the most contagious viruses known, far more infectious than influenza.” He warned that measles can spread rapidly, even before symptoms appear, and that vaccination remains the strongest defence against the disease.
“If you’re not immune and are exposed, there’s about a 90% chance you’ll become infected,” Professor Esterman said. “Because people can transmit the virus for about four days before the telltale rash appears, outbreaks often start silently, long before anyone realises measles is circulating.”
Experts are urging Australians to take immediate action to prevent further outbreaks, warning that even a single imported case could spark a massive epidemic in areas with low vaccination coverage. “If that trend continues, we can expect more frequent, larger outbreaks over the next decade, especially in childcare centres, schools, and under-vaccinated communities,” Professor Esterman warned.
The federal government has launched the National Immunisation Strategy for Australia 2025-2030, setting six priority areas to reverse downward trends and tackle vaccine hesitancy. But experts say more needs to be done to address the root causes of declining vaccination rates, including mistrust and misinformation about vaccines circulating on social media.
“The power and reach of social media, the challenges raised by COVID-19 and misinformation around immunisation coming out of the USA mean it has never been more important to boost access to and confidence in vaccines,” said Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, CEO of the Public Health Association of Australia.
With the current window to prevent widespread measles transmission narrowing, health experts are urging Australians to take action now to prevent a devastating epidemic. “Measles is, in many ways, a litmus test for public health,” Professor Esterman said. “If we let vaccination rates fall, it’s not a question of if measles outbreaks will occur, but when.”