Coronavirus: What are viruses? And how do they spread?

Dr Rosalind Eggo of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine explains in this video from the BBC how viruses like the recently-detected coronavirus can spread globally. 

BBC: What are viruses? And how do they spread?


No herd immunity: MenB vaccine 'fails' in school trial

A major study conducted in South Australia with almost 35000 participants has failed to show any discernible difference on herd immunity or throat carriage of Neisseria meningitidis

The study was led by vaccinologist Professor Helen Marshall, who was pleased the vaccine afforded a high level of protection among participants, with no cases of meningococcal disease occuring during the study, compared with 12 cases in the same age group in the two years prior. 

Alongside these findings, results of a UK study were published, estimating adjusted vaccine effectiveness to be 59% with a two-dose infant priming schedule plus a booster at 12 months of age since their publicly funded infant immunisation schedule began using the 4CMenB vaccine in 2015. 

Read the full article here:

AusDoc.Plus: No herd immunity: MenB vaccine 'fails' in school trial 

For further information about meningococcal vaccines, please refer to our Meningococcal disease and vaccines page

 

 


Influenza vaccine update for children under 3 years

FluQuadri (0.5 mL) can now be administered to infants and children from 6 months of age - see our updated reference page for details.

Influenza Vaccine Recommendations


New immunisation reference page: Kawasaki disease and vaccines

Kawasaki disease is a relatively uncommon illness that mostly affects children under five years of age. Blood vessels throughout the body become inflamed causing a collection of symptoms. There is no scientific evidence of vaccines causing Kawasaki disease, however precautions must be taken with live vaccines if an episode of Kawasaki disease has been treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

See our new reference page, Kawasaki disease and vaccines for more information.