Whooping cough is surging in Australia. Why? asks Laurence Don Wai Luu, and how can we protect ourselves? Australia is facing a whooping cough outbreak. Some 2,799 cases were recorded in the first three months of 2024. Cases are highest in Queensland and New South Wales,...
Fearing a tsunami of hospitalisations for RSV-related pneumonia and bronchiolitis, experts are calling for a Nationwide infant RSV immunisation program. What is RSV? Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common virus that can cause severe lung infections like pneumonia and bronchiolitis, particularly in young children and the...
Should I get one? What do I need to know? Allen Cheng looks at some answers. anon_tae/Shutterstock Influenza is a common respiratory infection. Although most cases are relatively mild, flu can cause more severe illness in young children and older people. Influenza virtually disappeared from Australia during the...
The vast majority of Australian children are up-to-date with their vaccines, write Holly Seale, Abela Mahimbo and Jane E Frawley. But vaccination rates have dipped slightly over the past few years. Fewer health checks, reduced access to routine health care during lockdowns, and fear of COVID...
Nicholas Wood looks at the safety, side effects, allergies and doses. Australian children aged 5-11 will start to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from January 10, after it cleared the final regulatory step and was recommended for use in this age group by the Australian Technical...
Global data is constantly emerging about the direct effects of COVID-19 on child and adolescent health. The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) led study to help guide vaccine policy decisions in Australia reports. Research at a Glance: A Melbourne-led review has found long COVID symptoms...
Mandatory vaccination is a key feature of the Victorian and New South Wales governments’ roadmaps out of lockdown. Patrons of pubs, restaurants and cafes will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter. Some have claimed that vaccine mandates are discriminatory. However, Mr Liam Elphick, Associate...
How sick are they getting and when will we be able to vaccinate them? Nicholas Wood reports. In July Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) provisionally approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for kids aged 12-15. The Australian Technical Advisory group on Immunisation (ATAGI) subsequently recommended kids in this...
One potential hurdle to vaccine acceptance is needle fear. Needles are nothing to fear, writes Therese O'Sullivan The COVID vaccine rollout has placed the issue of vaccination firmly in the spotlight. A successful rollout will depend on a variety of factors, one of which is vaccine...
