Measles is one of the most contagious diseases on earth, one person can spread it to 12–18 others, and it has been circulating again in Victoria over the past two years. Many adults assume they were vaccinated as children, but Australian schedules changed in the 1990s, and a meaningful number of people born before then have only had one dose, or none. To address that gap, the Victorian Department of Health (with the Western Public Health Unit) has funded a free measles, mumps and rubella catch-up program for adults aged 20–59 years.
Who is eligible
- You’re aged 20–59 at the date of vaccination.
- You don’t have two documented doses of MMR-containing vaccine on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) or your records.
- You live, work or study in Victoria (the program covers anyone in Victoria. Medicare status is not required).
If you’re unsure of your vaccination history, you can pull your record from myGov (linked to Medicare) or the Medicare Express Plus app. Records of doses given before AIR existed (pre-1996 for children, pre-2016 for adults) may not appear there, bring whatever paper records you have to your appointment.
What to bring
- Photo ID
- Medicare card if you have one (not required for this program, but helpful)
- Any previous immunisation record
What happens at the appointment
The pre-vaccination screening takes about five minutes. The pharmacist immuniser will go through your medical history and any contraindications (most people have none). The vaccine itself takes seconds. You then stay for the 15-minute observation period that the Australian Immunisation Handbook requires after every vaccination. All up: usually 25 minutes door-to-door.
Why it matters
MMR is highly effective: two doses give around 99% protection from measles for life. Beyond protecting yourself, you protect babies who are too young to be vaccinated, pregnant people, and immunocompromised members of your community who rely on herd immunity. As of mid-2025 and continuing into 2026, several Victorian local government areas have seen measles clusters that wouldn’t have spread if vaccination coverage were higher among adults.
How to access the program
At Immunisation Hub you can book online or walk into Priceline Pharmacy Sunshine Marketplace any time during opening hours. You can also get a free MMR vaccine through your GP or local council immunisation session. Program funding is confirmed until at least 30 June 2026.
Sources & further reading
General information only. This article is educational and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Your immuniser will confirm eligibility and contraindications on the day.
TGA advertising compliance. Vaccines are referred to by disease or category in line with the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code. Specific brands and registered indications are discussed at the consultation.