Only one shot needed at 18 months:

Australian children will need only one needle at 18 months to be fully protected from measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox from 1^st July this year.

This good news comes as the Australian Government releases a new handbook for doctors, nurses and other health providers that will enable them to give parents the most up-to-date, accurate and reliable information about immunisation. 

The new combined vaccine, known as the MMRV vaccine, covers measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox). It replaces both the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine currently given to four year olds, and the varicella vaccine for chickenpox given to 18 month olds. 

“The new combination vaccine protects against four common childhood illnesses in a single vaccine, reducing the number of vaccinations for children,” Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek, said.

“You won’t need a script to get the vaccine. Just make an appointment with your doctor or immunisation clinic.” 

The 10th edition of the Australian Immunisation Handbook introduces new vaccines, contains new and updated recommendations on vaccine use and outlines the importance of vaccination during pregnancy. 

Included with the Handbook are the latest National Immunisation Program schedules which list the vaccines, provided free of charge to eligible Australians, under the National Immunisation Program. 

“It is vital that parents and parents-to-be are fully informed when making decisions about immunisation for their children and themselves,” said Ms Plibersek.

“The Handbook enables all those involved in delivering immunisation – including doctors, health centres, community nurses, Aboriginal health workers, midwives and immunisation providers - to explain the benefits of immunisation to their patients.” 

The handbook is approved by the National Health Medical Research Council.

An easy-to-read summary table is included which provides recommendations for vaccines during pregnancy. The Handbook also includes important information about catch-up vaccination schedules, vaccination for special risk groups, vaccination for groups with special requirements, and vaccination for international travel. There is also information about managing rabies and Australian bat lyssavirus exposures. 

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The Handbook is available online here.