"About a month ago, a young traveller returned to South Australia unknowingly carrying one of the world’s most contagious infections — measles.
In just a few days, they visited a local health clinic, a hospital, primary school, dance studio and a hardware store. One case created many opportunities for exposure.
As a Chief Pharmacist working, I’m often reminded how quickly vaccine-preventable diseases can disrupt lives — particularly for our older adventurers who are embracing travel more than ever.
Measles is not “just a childhood illness.” For adults, especially older adults, it can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis. These risks are real, even if you grew up in an era when measles was common.
Australia was declared measles-free in 2014, yet we continue to see cases. This year, South Australia has recorded six, and nationally there have been more than 160 cases to November — the highest numbers since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost 40 per cent of these cases were in adults aged 55 and over.
Measles is also surging overseas. Outbreaks have been recorded in several destinations popular with Australian travelers, including the United States, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
If you were born during or after 1966 and haven’t had two documented measles vaccinations, you may be eligible for a free catch-up dose.
This message is especially important for Australians aged 55 and over. Nearly 40% of people in this age group took a major holiday in the past year — yet many are not up to date with their travel vaccinations.
As you plan your next journey, make sure your vaccinations are current. A simple check-in with your pharmacist before you travel can help keep your holiday memorable for all the right reasons.
National Pharmacies Travel Vax service provides experts advice that is simple and accessible so you get the right protection at the right time and you can travel with confidence and stay well. This is especially important over January to April, when so many Australians head overseas.
Ideally, you should come and see us about six to eight weeks before you travel. That window gives time for any vaccines that require more than one dose — like hepatitis B or rabies — to be completed and take full effect.
But the good news is, even if you’ve left it a bit late, there are still single-dose vaccines we can give, such as hepatitis A and influenza, that provide protection quite quickly. And honestly, lots of people don’t plan that far ahead, so it’s always worth coming in.
You can book a Travel Health Consultation right in our pharmacies and get everything in one place: your vaccinations, destination-specific advice, and personalised tips for staying well on your trip. We’ll sit down with you, go through your destination, the activities you’re planning, your medical history, and any specific health risks, and then recommend the right vaccinations, medications, and practical advice.
What’s really exciting is our new partnership with Phil Hoffmann Travel. It means more people will hear about travel health at the exact time they’re booking their trip, and they’ll be referred straight to us. It’s a great example of how we’re living our vision at National Pharmacies — creating healthier, happier communities by helping people stay well, wherever life takes them.
To book your travel health consultation with one of National Pharmacies pharmacists online, visit www.nationalpharmacies.com.au/health-services/travel-vaccinations/ or call your nearest National Pharmacies store."
