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EMERGENCY

In an emergency, always call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. Ambulances are the safest way to be assessed, treated and transported to the right hospital for the care you need.

Triple zero (000) is a free call from any phone, mobile or phone box.

For less severe but still urgent situations, go to an Emergency Department.

There are 12 public hospital Emergency Departments in Northern NSW Local Health District and they are all available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Emergency departments are located at:

text on a blue background 'pop up measles vaccination clinic in Murwillumbah' 'Tues 20 Feb & Wed 21 Feb'
Published: 17 Feb 2024

People in Northern NSW are being encouraged to get vaccinated against measles by attending a free pop-up clinic in Murwillumbah. 

The clinic will provide the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine at the Murwillumbah Civic and Cultural Centre, 10-14 Tumbulgum Rd, Murwillumbah NSW 2484 on: 

  • Tuesday 20 February 12pm-6pm 
  • Wednesday 21 February 10am-3pm 

Bookings are not required. 

North Coast Population and Public Health Regional Director, Dr Valerie Delpech said that anyone born after 1966 who is unsure if they have had two measles shots should visit the clinic. The vaccine can be given to children from one year old. 

“Measles is incredibly infectious and acquired through airborne transmission, it can survive in the air for up to two hours, but it is preventable through vaccination,” Dr Delpech said. 

“People need two doses of MMR vaccine for the best protection against measles. It is safe to have the vaccine more than twice, so people who are unsure of their immunity should get vaccinated. 

“While the measles vaccine is free from your GP and pharmacies, these clinics will provide people an extra opportunity to be vaccinated. If in doubt an extra shot won’t hurt.

“Symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, sore eyes and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body. 

“Symptoms may appear between seven and 18 days after an exposure, so it's important for people to stay vigilant if they've been exposed, and if they develop symptoms, to please call ahead to their GP or emergency department to ensure they do not spread the disease to others.” 

A measles case was reported on 11 February as having been in the Murwillumbah region while infectious. There have not been any further cases reported in the area to date. 

People in the following locations may have been exposed to the virus and should monitor for symptoms: 

  • Schoolchildren (both primary and secondary) who were on the morning and afternoon Singh Company school bus in the Murwillumbah area on Monday 5 February 
  • People who attended the Emergency Department at Murwillumbah Hospital on Friday 9 February between 1:15pm-4pm 
  • People who attended the Emergency Department at Murwillumbah Hospital on Saturday 10 February between 12:15pm-8pm.

There are further exposure sites in Queensland with further information available via Gold Coast Health. 

If you, or a loved one, is experiencing measles symptoms, or have questions about measles, please call your GP or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. If experiencing symptoms, it’s important to call ahead to the service you are visiting. 

For more information on measles, you can view the NSW Health measles fact sheet.