Understanding the Current Diphtheria Outbreak in Australia
Australia is currently experiencing a diphtheria outbreak, which has raised concerns about how to best protect individuals and families from this life-threatening and highly contagious bacterial infection. According to Katherine Gibney, an infectious diseases physician and principal research fellow at the Doherty Institute, maintaining high vaccination rates is crucial for preventing the spread of diseases that have been largely controlled for decades.
Diphtheria, along with tetanus and whooping cough, can be prevented through a combined vaccine. However, some vaccines require regular updates, especially if you live, work, or travel in higher-risk areas. This is particularly important as there are also measles cases reported in some states, and some individuals may be under-vaccinated for this highly infectious disease.
How to Check Your Vaccination Status
The first step in ensuring you’re protected is to check your vaccination history. The Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) is a key resource for this. People can apply online for an immunisation history statement. However, it’s worth noting that the AIR only started recording data for all ages in 2016, so there may be gaps in records due to the transition to the new system.
If you don’t have a record or your records have been lost, Dr. Rod Pearce, chairman of the Immunisation Coalition, recommends speaking with your general practitioner (GP). He also advises keeping a paper record of your vaccination history near your travel documents to make it easier to track what you’ve had and when.
What If You Think You Were Vaccinated but Don’t Have Proof?
If you’re unsure about your vaccination status, Dr. Pearce suggests getting a booster shot. An extra dose won’t cause harm, but missing out could leave you vulnerable. “It’s better to have an extra [booster] and be covered than to not have one,” he said.
For measles, the advice varies depending on when you were born. Those born during or after 1966 need two doses, while many people born between 1966 and 1990 may have only received one childhood vaccination and need a catch-up dose. Individuals born before 1966 are likely to have lifelong immunity and won’t require a vaccine.
Annual Vaccines Are Important
In addition to the diphtheria and measles vaccines, the flu jab is a key vaccine for most Australians to remember each year. Dr. Pearce also emphasized that people over 65 should get an annual COVID-19 booster, and those over 75 should receive a booster every six months. This year, Australians aged 75 and older, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 and older, can get the RSV vaccine for free.
Older Australians and high-risk groups should also consider the pneumococcal and shingles vaccines.
Traveling and Health Risks
When traveling, it’s essential to be aware of potential health risks. Professor Robert Booy advised checking the Smartraveller website for information on the risk of infectious diseases in different countries. He also recommended consulting a travel doctor who specializes in immunisations, especially if visiting a country with an outbreak.
Poliovirus was recently detected in wastewater in Western Australia, highlighting the importance of staying up-to-date with vaccinations. While the polio vaccine is part of Australia’s routine program, certain groups, including children, may be offered it for free. However, there are some viruses, such as Ebola and hantavirus, for which there is no vaccine. In these cases, personal hygiene and protective measures are critical.
“If you take appropriate precautions, your level of risk is much, much lower,” Professor Booy said. Frequent handwashing, wearing face masks indoors, and using alcohol-based sanitiser are all effective ways to stay protected.
Childhood Vaccination Is Key
Dr. Pearce highlighted that drops in childhood vaccination rates since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic have raised concerns. Figures from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance show that the number of children fully vaccinated by 24 months dropped below 90% in 2024 for the first time since 2016.
Under-vaccination has been linked to the current diphtheria outbreak and contributed to the deadly 2025 flu season. Dr. Pearce stressed that Australia’s vaccines are safe and effective, offering strong protection against potentially lethal diseases. “The vaccines we’ve got in our program are some of the best in the world,” he said. “It’s about the risk-benefit of your vaccines, about this small risk of a sore arm, but the disease can be lethal.”
