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The Tasmanian State Government says it will fund a free measles vaccination, on expert advice from doctors.

From September, the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine will be available for Tasmanians born during or after 1966 who have not received two measles containing vaccinations or had the infection.

Public Health experts say that people born before 1966 are likely to be immune from childhood infection.

Many Tasmanians born between 1966 and 1994 will not have experienced measles or received two doses of a measles vaccine. As a result, up to 15 percent of these adults may not be immune.

The Government says the vaccination is for these people.

“Due to fragmentary childhood immunisation records for many people, anyone who is unsure of their status is encouraged to receive a booster dose,” Michael Ferguson said.

“Measles is a highly infectious disease and remains endemic in some countries, meaning there is ongoing risk of imported cases from both international travellers visiting Australia and Australians returning from overseas.”

More than 100 cases of measles have been reported in Australia this year, with the majority occurring in NSW, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Let’s hope the rest of Australia follows their lead!

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  • This is a good initiative to follow.

    Reply

  • It’s a good idea and the rest of Australia should follow. I had the measles as a child, no vaccination was available back then and I recommend people get the shot if that haven’t had measles yet. Chickpox and the mumps were worse than the measles.

    Reply

  • I very much doubt if people born in the 1950s and prior ever had the measles vaccination as it didn’t exist then. Can you have measles again many years later?

    Reply

  • Should be nationwide I’ve paid and had mine

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  • strange only in tassie

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  • Should be nationwide to hopefully get rid of this altogther


    • Yes, I agree it should be everywhere to try and stop the spread

    Reply

  • Fair call for the people who need it.

    Reply

  • This should be Nationwide in my opinion. Not just Tasmania.

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  • More education needed on what people have and haven’t had.

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  • Good move – I’m in another state and I’ve just been advised to have it.


    • Interesting – I wonder if this initiative will now spread.

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  • Interesting that it is only offered in Tasmania considering the stats from other areas.

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  • I think any vaccines for serious diseases should be free for anyone nationwide.

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  • Only in Tasmania ?
    I’m from 1963 and had indeed all child hood diseases according to my mum :)

    Reply

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