Rose's Story

Many Australians think of measles as a mild childhood illness.
But for some families, measles has changed everything.

In 1960, before a measles vaccine was available, Rose contracted measles at the age of nine. What initially appeared to be a routine childhood illness became life-threatening when she developed measles encephalitis, a serious inflammation of the brain.

Rose was unconscious for three months in Adelaide Children’s Hospital. She survived - but measles caused severe and permanent brain injury.

Today, at 74 years old, Rose lives in aged care. Her memory, her ability to hold a conversation, her mobility and her independence have all been profoundly affected. She requires ongoing personal care and support as a result of an infection some people still describe as “mild”.

Rose’s sister, Jo, shared her story with us because she worries that measles is being underestimated - particularly as measles cases increase in Australia and childhood immunisation rates decline.

Most parents today have never seen what measles can do. Vaccination has protected generations from witnessing these outcomes firsthand. But stories like Rose’s remind us why measles vaccination exists: to prevent children and families from facing lifelong consequences that are entirely avoidable.

Thank you to Jo for trusting us with Rose’s story, and for helping shine a light on the very real impact of measles.

Protecting children means remembering what we’re protecting them from.