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Research
Inequity of antenatal influenza and pertussis vaccine coverage in Australia: the Links2HealthierBubs record linkage cohort study, 2012–2017Pregnancy and early infancy are increased risk periods for severe adverse effects of respiratory infections. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (respectfully referred to as First Nations) women and children in Australia bear a disproportionately higher burden of respiratory diseases compared to non-Indigenous women and infants. Influenza vaccines and whooping cough (pertussis) vaccines are recommended and free in every Australian pregnancy to combat these infections.
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Predictors of Disease Severity in Children Hospitalized for Pertussis during an EpidemicThis study aimed to determine factors associated with severe pertussis in hospitalized children during an epidemic using a novel pertussis severity scoring...
Research
Children with otitis media mount a pneumococcal serotype specific serum IgG and IgA response comparable to healthy controls after pneumococcal conjugate vaccinationWe investigated the suggestion that otitis-prone children have an impaired antibody response in the context of pneumococcal vaccination.
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Parental Tdap boosters and infant pertussis: a case-control studyCase households had fewer immunized mothers (22% vs 32%) or fathers (20% vs 31%) but were more likely to include additional and older children. After...
Research
Risk factors and comorbidities for invasive pneumococcal disease in Western Australian Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peopleAustralian Aboriginal people have among the highest rates of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) worldwide. This paper investigates clinical diagnosis, risk...
News & Events
Video: Flu vaccine Q&AIt's that time of year again... Flu vaccine time! Watch Dr Chris Blyth answer commonly asked questions in the video below.
Research
InfluenzaInfluenza (commonly known as the flu) is caused by a highly contagious virus spread mainly through coughing and sneezing. An annual flu vaccination is the most effective way to prevent flu outbreaks.
News & Events
Childhood influenza vaccination rates improves with better accessMore children across Australia are being vaccinated against the flu since funding was expanded and access widened under the National Immunisation Program
Research
Effectiveness of nirsevimab in preventing RSV-hospitalisation among young children in Western Australia 2024Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) causes a significant burden of illness for children under 2 years of age. Nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody, was registered for RSV prevention in Australia in 2023. In April 2024, Western Australia (WA) launched the country's first state-wide nirsevimab program for all infants and high-risk children entering their second RSV season.
Research
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine primes mucosal immune responses to pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine booster in Papua New Guinean childrenInvasive pneumococcal disease remains a major cause of hospitalization and death in Papua New Guinean (PNG) children. We assessed mucosal IgA and IgG responses in PNG infants vaccinated with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) followed by a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) booster.