Fears of more measles outbreaks as Australia suffers a 'concerning' shortage of vaccines
- Over 100 Australians have infected with measles in 2019, according to WHO
- Measles vaccine supplier told the Federal Government there was a shortage
- Stocks have been diverted from Australia to other countries in greater need
Australia is suffering a shortage of measles vaccines, it emerged on Friday.
Supplier GlaxoSmithKline has told the Federal Government there was a shortage of supply because stocks were being sent to other countries in greater need.
Experts have said the shortage is 'concerning' because more than 100 Australians have been infected already this year - making it the second worst year for measles reports since 1997.
'Australia is at the end of a very long supply chain, so stocks may have been diverted to areas of greatest need,' Dr Richard Kidd from the Australian Medical Association of Queensland told the ABC.
Australia is undergoing a shortage of measles vaccines following a large outbreak in 2019
GSK is the primary supplier of measles vaccines Priorix Tetra and Priorix.
The vaccines have now been listed on the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) critical shortages list.
The shortage is expected to drag on until October.
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Doctors across the country have been unable to restock their vaccines and have been forced to ration the scarce supply.
SmartClinics medical centre in Brisbane's CBD only has 16 vials left.
Dr Kidd says about half of the adult population may not have been vaccinated.
The health department has been urging Australians to check if they have been immunised or not, especially those born between 1966 and 1994.
Free vaccines are available for people born during or after 1996 and who haven't already had two injections.
'Obviously everyone gets concerned about young children, but older children and adults who get measles can get very, very sick and some people die,' Mr Kidd said.
'Other people are left with lifetime disabilities, so it is a problem for everyone.'
Supplier GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) told the Federal Government there was a shortage supply to the country because stocks were being sent to other countries in need
But Professor Paul Kelly from the Federal Department of Australia said alternative vaccines were available.
'Alternative MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella vaccines) remain available and consumers may wish to discuss alternatives with their doctors,' he said.
Queensland Health confirmed there were no shortages of MMR stocks.
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