One Needle to Protect Against Four Diseases

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PDF printable version of One Needle to Protect Against Four Diseases (PDF 249 KB)

28 March 2013

From 1 July, Australian kids will need only one needle at 18 months to be fully protected from measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.

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.

Parents will welcome the introduction of the new combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox) vaccine – called the MMRV vaccine.

The new combination vaccine 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. “It means one needle rather than two.

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

The new combination MMRV vaccine will be given to children at 18 months of age and will be available from 1 July this year.

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.

Launching the handbook today, the Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek, said: “It is vital that parents and parents-to-be are fully informed when making decisions about immunisation for their children and themselves.

“The Handbook will enable 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.”

Developed by the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, and approved by the National Health Medical Research Council, the latest edition of the Handbook introduces new vaccines to the immunisation schedule.

These include extending the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to boys, the new combined MMRV vaccine, and a replacement pneumococcal vaccine.

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.

“Immunisation saves lives – and the Australian Government is committed to increasing immunisation rates,” Minister Plibersek said.

For more information or to order a copy of the handbook, visit the Australian Immunisation Handbook website.

For all media inquiries, please contact the Minister's Office on 02 6277 7220