Victorian Department of Health: Nurse immunisers approved to administer MMR vaccines to infants from 6 months of age

Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has approved Nurse Immunser-led administration of measles-containing vaccines to infants from 6 months of age who are travelling overseas. This authorisation 是 in accordance with ATAGI recommendations.

Victorian Department of Health: Nurse immunisers – approved client groups

MVEC:麻疹


Intradermal injection essentials: New eLearning available now

We are excited to share that MVEC’s latest eLearning package is now available!

Regardless of your experience, the Intradermal injection essentials eLearning provides healthcare professionals with the foundation knowledge needed when administering intradermal injections. 

To get started, you will need to be an Education Portal member. Members receive exclusive access not only to our suite of eLearnings but also to past webinar recordings and special ticket prices for face-to-face MVEC events. 

If you’re not already a member, become one now through your new or existing Education Portal profile. 

This course was made possible through the 2025 GSK Immunisation Award, presented to MVEC at the Public Health Association of Australia’s (PHAA) Communicable Diseases and Immunisation Conference in 2025. MVEC has complete control over the content, and is independent of GSK and PHAA. 


The Guardian: UK loses WHO status as measles-free after rise in deaths and fall in jab uptake

The UK has lost its measles-free status due to a rise in the number of recorded cases, outbreaks and deaths. In recent years, uptake of the MMR vaccine has been diminishing. 

Other European countries that have lost their measles-free status include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Spain and Uzbekistan. 

This follows Canada losing its measles-free status in November 2025. 

The Guardian: UK loses WHO status as measles-free after rise in deaths and fall in jab uptake

For more information about measles disease, epidemiology and prevention, go to MVEC:麻疹.


SBS: The 'Super-K' flu variant is spreading in Australia. Here's what makes it 'unusual'

A new strain of influenza could be responsible for an unusual spring and summer boost in flu cases. According to epidemiologists, there is no current evidence that this variant is more severe, but that it is easily transmitted.

Read the full article at SBS: The 'Super-K' flu variant is spreading in Australia. Here's what makes it 'unusual'.

For more information about influenza disease, epidemiology and prevention, visit MVEC:流感.


Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd – Measles vaccination advice

On 8 January Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd released a statement to highlight the importance of vaccination against measles.

Professor Kidd’s statement outlines ATAGI’s  recommendation that infants aged 6 to 11 months should receive an additional dose of a measles-containing vaccine (MMR vaccine) when travelling overseas.

This advice comes amid ongoing measles cases in Australia. 

In Victoria, there is an active measles health alert relating to 2 new measles cases reported in January 2026. 

Read Professor Kidd’s statement via in full at Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd – Measles vaccination advice. 

For more information about measles disease, epidemiology and prevention, visit MVEC:麻疹. 


About Regional: Potentially fatal virus detected in parts of southern NSW

Japanese encephalitis has been detected in the Riverina region and in Goulburn this summer.

Japanese encephalitis is a rare but potentially serious disease spread to humans through mosquito bites.

The most effective way to avoid infection is through physical barriers, such as wearing long clothing, using mosquito repellent and using mosquito nets. Vaccaination is recommended for certain individuals at higher risk of exposure to Japanese encephalitis virus. Individuals with specific risk factors are funded to receive vaccines through state-led programs in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.

To read about Japanese encephalitis in southern New South Wales, go to About Regional: Potentially fatal virus detected in parts of southern NSW.

For more information about Japanese encephalitis disease, epidemiology and prevention, visit MVEC:日本脑炎.


Vaccine X: Regional progress and persistent gaps: toward measles elimination in Asia and the Pacific

A recent editorial in the journal Vaccine X examines the progress towards measles elimination in Asia and the Pacific Region. With a focus on measles in the Philippines, the authors explore how programmatic and social cultural barriers enable ongoing measles transmission. 

Read the article in full: Regional progress and persistent gaps: toward measles elimination in Asia and the Pacific
For more information about measles disease, epidemiology and prevention, visit MVEC:麻疹. 


Immunisation Coalition: 2026 Meningococcal Webinar

Next month, the Immunisation Coalition will host a webinar providing an update on invasive meningococcal disease. Moderated by Dr Andrew Baird, the webinar will feature Prof Jim Buttery. 

日期: 25 February 2026
时间: 6:00–7:00 pm (AEDT) 

Learn more and register on the Immunisation Coalition's event page. 

MVEC:脑膜炎球菌


Options XIII: Registrations and abstract submissions now open

International Society for Respiratory Viruses’ Options XIII Conference for the Control of Influenza will be held in Washington, DC, USA.

日期: 30 August to 2 September 2026
地点: Walter Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC, USA

Visit the conference website for more details about the event and to see important dates and deadlines.


Reminder: Japanese encephalitis vaccination

This mosquito season, people travelling to regions where Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is present should take precautions to be protected. Protection may include physical barriers (e.g. long, loose clothing, DEET, mosquito nets) and vaccination. 

Japanese encephalitis is a leading cause of vaccine-preventable encephalitis in Asia and the Western Pacific. 

Vaccination is recommended for those at highest risk of exposure so JEV. Some individuals are prioritised and funded to receive vaccines through state-led programs. 

For detailed information, visit MVEC:日本脑炎


关于 MVEC

墨尔本疫苗教育中心 (MVEC) 是一个教育网站,旨在为医疗保健专业人员和公众提供最新的免疫接种信息。我们位于研究机构默多克儿童研究所 (MCRI),隶属于维多利亚疫苗安全服务机构 SAEFVIC(社区接种疫苗后的不良事件监测)。