Australia’s health authorities are currently reviewing the nation’s measles vaccination guidelines as an alarming increase in cases prompts urgent discussions. Measles has been especially virulent this year, with Australia seeing 77 cases so far. That’s a huge jump from the 57 non-fatal cases logged in all of last year, 2024. This review is being driven by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisations (ATAGI). Beyond implementing these recent research findings, they are addressing global immunisation challenges such as equitable vaccine access.
As one of the leading researchers in the study, Kim Mulholland puts it, this is a huge problem. He urges Australia to do more to promote immunization in developing countries. He argues that the current vaccination schedule in Australia, recommending the first dose at 12 months and a second at 18 months, may not adequately protect infants, especially considering the waning maternal antibodies.
Rising Cases and Waning Immunity
Recent statistics reveal concerning trends among infants. As a result, eighty-one percent of babies are born with measles antibodies. Yet by four months of age, nearly 70 percent of these infants have lost all their antibodies. In addition, only 18 percent of infants generate adequate antibody levels by seven months. This data underscores a deeply alarming trend. Otherwise, millions of children will continue to be susceptible to the disease well before they receive their first vaccine dose at age one.
Mulholland points out, “This suggests we’re vaccinating at the wrong age.” As he cautions, early loss of antibodies puts people at higher risk for thriving infections. This has become even more important given that measles is frequently reintroduced by travelers returning from overseas. While there is no one-size-fits-all immunization schedule, advocates like Dr. This strategy has the potential to align more closely with the emerging immune terrain of infants.
Until recently, Australia had avoided widespread measles infection, thanks mostly to the measles imported from overseas. Mulholland underscores the necessity for robust vaccination strategies, stating, “Measles elimination is possible but it has to be global … Australia is not a country that’s been particularly generous when it comes to foreign aid — it’s probably time to change that position.”
International Perspectives on Vaccination
Down Under, New Zealand’s health officials have jumped ahead of the curve. In response, they are advising a four-month dose of the measles vaccine during routine care as a mitigation measure to prevent outbreaks. It’s encouraging that health professionals are starting to converge on the idea that we need to change our vaccination strategies. This change is due to the rapidly changing epidemiological data.
Dr. Koirala notes the importance of early vaccination, stating, “A lot of people aren’t aware that if you’re going anywhere overseas you should get your baby vaccinated [against measles] from six months.” He highlights a critical challenge: “It’s just so important, but the uptake is very poor at this age.”
This issue is consistent with past research results. These studies indicate that older Australians have much higher levels of measles antibodies than younger adults. Together, this disparity raises some significant questions. We need to reassess how effective our current vaccination schedules are and whether we should be making changes to increase immunity in younger age groups.
The Need for Timely Adjustments
Experts are urging for quick changes to vaccination recommendations based on these results. Mulholland argues that vaccinated children are likely to experience milder symptoms due to lower antibodies generated by vaccination. They remain a threat to unvaccinated infants and others, as well. He states, “Measles in a child who has had a vaccine and then has declining antibodies is not as serious at that age; they might circulate it and give it to younger infants who are higher risk.”
This debate in favor of a different vaccination timing has taken hold among health circles and influencers. Health Minister Mark Butler acknowledges this perspective, asserting, “This incredibly interesting research is emerging that maybe 12 and 18 months is not the right age for babies to be vaccinated.”
In specific cases, health professionals can administer an additional dose at six months for children traveling to areas where measles is endemic. This flexibility aids in emphasizing the need for individualized vaccination strategies based on a person’s individual risk factor and area’s disease prevalence.
