What’s happening?
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is calling for nationally coordinated action from governments and health authorities to lift vaccination rates following a measles outbreak in Far North Queensland.
The College has urged that nurse immunisers be funded and authorised to set up dedicated clinics with extended opening hours in accessible community settings. These include Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services, and public spaces such as libraries and shopping malls.
Since the beginning of the month, twelve cases of measles have been confirmed in Far North Queensland. Across the country, 125 cases have been recorded this year, more than double last year’s 57 cases.
Why it matters
“Measles is a highly contagious disease, but it can be controlled well by vaccination,” Australian College of Nursing Chief Nurse Frances Rice said.
She noted that vaccination rates have been falling nationally, with Queensland sitting below the national average. “With school holidays almost upon us, Cairns may experience an influx of visitors, so the risk of transmission around the state is elevated.”
Local impact
Public health units in Far North Queensland are tracing contacts and working to contain the outbreak. Ms Rice commended their efforts, particularly given the vulnerable and transient populations in the region. She cautioned that “the longer this outbreak runs, the harder it will be to contain. The best protection against it is vaccination and authorities need to urgently act to boost vaccination coverage in the region.”
By the numbers
-
12 cases of measles have been confirmed in Far North Queensland this month.
-
125 cases of measles have been recorded nationally in 2025, compared with 57 cases in 2024.
-
Queensland’s coverage of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine for two-year-olds is 90.33 per cent, compared with the national average of 91.38 per cent.
-
For five-year-olds, Queensland sits at 91.9 per cent, below the national average of 93.27 per cent.
-
The national target for herd immunity against measles is 95 per cent vaccine coverage.
Zoom in
While vaccine hesitancy and vaccine fatigue are recognised, access remains a key issue. “Time-poor and busy families often struggle to find an available appointment to take their child to get vaccinated,” Ms Rice said.
She stressed that governments must make vaccination easier: “Getting the vaccines to people rather than waiting for people to go to clinics to get vaccinated will dramatically improve access. Better deployment of nurses can make that happen.”
Zoom out
Ms Rice also said, “It is up to governments and health authorities to make it as easy as possible for parents to take this vital preventive health step.”
She added that nurses are critical to lifting national vaccination rates. “Nurses can help contain this outbreak. Nurses must be supported by policymakers and employers to be deployed in all settings to lift Australia’s vaccination rates.”
What to look for next
Health authorities are being urged to improve access to vaccination quickly, particularly in areas of Far North Queensland affected by the outbreak.
