<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Victorians are being urged to get a free </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/vaccination" rel="" target="_blank" title="measles vaccine"><span>measles vaccine</span></a><span> if they're not already vaccinated, amid an outbreak of the highly infectious disease.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/measles" rel="" target="_blank" title="Measles"><span>Measles</span></a><span> is a serious medical issue and can cause pneumonia, eye problems and blindness, and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Symptoms include fever, cough, sore or red eyes, runny nose, feeling generally unwell, followed by a red rash.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/pauline-hanson-storms-out-of-parliament-after-being-censured/954ec63f-0084-4279-be5f-d108a233556c" target="_blank"><strong><span>Pauline Hanson slaps wrist and storms out of parliament over censure</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>At least 17 confirmed cases have been reported in Victoria this year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Victorian Chief Health Officer Dr Caroline McElnay reassured residents the disease can be easily avoided through vaccination.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But analysis by the National Centre of Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) at the end of last year showed that </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-vaccination-safety-confidence/fb4ea7a8-ee18-45f3-99e6-0add99a607fa" rel="" target="_blank" title="vaccination coverage is at a 10-year low"><span>vaccination coverage is at a 10-year low</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/victoria-measles-outbreak-vaccine-push/8432fc81-4406-42c8-aeb1-2015a372cbe5" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's important we take steps to stop the spread of this highly contagious disease," McElnay said in a statement.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We are working with local public health units to make sure all eligible Victorians know how they can access the free vaccine."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Victorian Department of Health has procured thousands of vaccines to supply local public health units through the vaccine push.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/protection-visa-australia-home-affairs-warns-british-and-irish-visa-holders-against-abusing-system/ae3679c0-7a25-4518-bfce-d149802766d7" target="_blank"><strong><span>British and Irish visitors warned against abusing system by applying for protection visas</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is required for immunity.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The free jab is widely available at GPs, community pharmacies, Aboriginal Health Services and some local councils.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"If you are unsure of your vaccination status, get a catch-up vaccine which is completely safe," McElnay added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Many adults aged 20–59 years may have only had one dose (in line with Australian childhood vaccination schedules at the time) and are urged to get another.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>McElnay also encouraged Victorians travelling overseas to sure their routine vaccinations are up to date at least two weeks before departure.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She emphasised that the MMR vaccins is safe, effective, free, "and the best way for you and your family to avoid serious illness".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/galaxy-s26-series-new-phone-privacy-screen-price-details/bb67524b-b43d-4963-a0ed-9bc58a266639" target="_blank"><strong><span>Samsung's new phone feature blocks prying eyes</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Victorian Department of Health has reported a string of recent public exposures at hospitals, health centres, cafes, restaurants and more.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A full list of the exposure sites can be found on the </span><a href="https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/measles-public-exposure-sites-victoria" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="department website."><span>department website.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Anyone who attended an exposure site during certain dates and times is advised to monitor for symptoms for 18 days after exposure.</span></div></div>