There needs to be nationally coordinated action from all governments and health authorities to lift Australia’s vaccination rates following a measles outbreak in Far North Queensland, according to the Australian College of Nursing.
ACN says funding and more authorisation should be given to nurses for dedicated immunisation clinics with extended opening hours that are accessible to everyone, including at urgent-care clinics, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services and in public places like libraries and shopping malls.

At least 12 cases have been recorded in the far north of Queensland alone since the start of the month. Around Australia, 125 cases have been recorded so far this year – more than double last year’s total of 57.

“Measles is a highly contagious disease, but it can be controlled well by vaccination,” ACN chief nurse Frances Rice said.

“Vaccination rates have been falling nationally. 

“In Queensland, they are below the national average.”

The national target for the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine coverage is 95 per cent to achieve critical herd immunity against measles, but the latest figures show only about 90 per cent of two-year-olds in Queensland have had the MMR vaccine.

Queensland also lags behind the national average on fully immunised five-year-olds, with just under 92 per cent, compared with about 93 per cent nationwide.