New podcast episode (feat. Prof Nigel Crawford): Whooping cough – What you need to know
Prof Nigel Crawford recently spoke with Dr Rebecca Overton about pertussis (whooping cough) in a new podcast episode from HealthEd.
Key features of the discussion included:
- why have there been an increase in pertussis cases
- typical presenting symptoms
- complications of pertussis
- scheduled vaccines (including maternal vaccination)
- how to address concerns about vaccination.
You can listen to the podcast यहाँ.
Chief Medical Officer’s letter regarding measles vaccination
On 15 April 2025 the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Prof Anthony Lawler shared a message regarding the recent increase in confirmed cases of measles across Australia.
The CMO emphasised the critical role of vaccination in preventing measles. The full letter can be read here.
Following on from this letter, the CMO released an additional message to highlight state- and territory-funded measles programs that offer free protection to certain groups, on top of the NIP-funded groups; and the importance of checking patients’ vaccine history.
Visit your local health department’s immunisation website for more information.
Australian Immunisation Handbook: Influenza chapter updated
The Australian Immunisation Handbook chapter on influenza was updated on 7 April 2025 to reflect 2025 influenza vaccine information.
New PAEDS data: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza
The Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS) network is a hospital-based surveillance system for selected serious childhood conditions, including vaccine-preventable diseases.
PEADS is updated regularly with new information, and 2025 data is now available. Visit PAEDS: Paediatric RSV in Australia और PAEDS: Paediatric Influenza Australia for current data on RSV and influenza in Australia. Data is updated monthly.
MVEC: PAEDS (Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance)
एमवीईसी: रेस्पिरेटरी सिंकाइटियल वायरस (आरएसवी)
एमवीईसी: इन्फ्लुएंजा
ATAGI statement on the administration of COVID-19 vaccines in 2025
Today, 27 March, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) released a statement with current guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.
Vaccination is recommended every 6 months for those aged 75 years or over, and every 12 months for adults 65 to 74 years and adults aged 18 to 64 years with severe immunocompromise.
In addition to these recommendations, some groups are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations and may choose to do so based on a benefit–risk assessment.
Find out more in the full ATAGI statement.
Medium: A comprehensive review of the MMR vaccine studies – Many years and millions of people revealed no link to autism
This recent article presents a review of MMR vaccine studies over the years. Based on conclusive scientific evidence, the authors affirm that parents can be confident that vaccinating their children protects them from serious illness without increasing the risk of autism.
State-based nirsevimab immunisation programs commencing
Nirsevimab is a long-acting RSV-specific monoclonal antibody recommended for some infants as part of the RSV Mother and Infant Protection Program (RSV-MIPP).
The RSV vaccine Abrysvo is funded on the National Immunisation Program for pregnant people from 28 weeks’ gestation. Nirsevimab is recommended for infants:
- whose mother did not receive an RSV vaccine during pregnancy
- born within two weeks of Abrysvo being administered
- at increased risk of severe RSV
- born to mothers with severe immunosuppression.
Nirsevimab programs are already underway in some jurisdictions. The South Australian, Tasmanian and Victorian programs will start on 1 April 2025.
Catch-up programs for infants born before the nirsevimab program commences vary between jurisdictions. Also, note that some infants are recommended to receive nirsevimab in their second RSV season. Read the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance’s (NCIRS) document State and territory nirsevimab (Beyfortus) infant program summary 2025 अधिक जानकारी के लिए।
Learn more on MVEC’s immmunisation reference page, एमवीईसी: रेस्पिरेटरी सिंकाइटियल वायरस (आरएसवी).
ATAGI: Statement on the administration of seasonal influenza vaccines in 2025
On 3 March, the national Department of Health and Aged Care released the 2025 में सीजन-संबंधी इन्फ्लुएंजा वैक्सीन के प्रशासन पर एटीएजीआई (ATAGI) का बयान.
Influenza vaccines are recommended annually and are funded on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for:
- children aged 6 months to less than 5 years
- all adults aged 65 years and older
- specific populations aged 5 to 64 years who are at greatest risk of developing complications from influenza infection (including प्रेग्नेंट औरत, प्रथम राष्ट्र के लोग, and those with certain medical risk factors).
For more details, refer to ATAGI’s full statement, and MVEC’s influenza reference page which has been updated for the 2025 influenza season.
NSW Health: First death of person with Japanese encephalitis since 2022
NSW has reported the death of a person who had been receiving care for Japanese encephalitis (JE) since early February. This is the first death in NSW from JE since May of 2022. It is believed the person acquired JE while visiting the Murrumbidgee region in January.
JE is a rare but potentially serious disease spread to humans through mosquito bites. JE can be prevented through physical barriers aimed at preventing mosquito bites, and vaccination for individuals in high-risk groups.
Some Australian states have programs to fund vaccines for those with specific risk factors.
Read NSW Health’s full statement here.
For more information about JE disease and prevention, head to एमवीईसी: जापानी इंसेफेलाइटिस.
Texas Health and Human Services: First death in measles outbreak
The Texas Department of State Health Services in the United States has reported the first death from measles in an outbreak that has been ongoing since late January 2025. The person who died was a child who was not vaccinated against measles.
As of 25 February, there have been 124 cases confirmed in the outbreak, most of which are in children.
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness. Initial symptoms include fever, malaise, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis, followed by rash. Complications include pneumonia and otitis media (ear infection); 1 in 1000 people will develop encephalitis (brain inflammation).
Vaccines are highly effective in protecting against disease.
Read the Texas Department of State Health Services’ full statement here.
There is an active health alert in Victoria regarding recent measles cases in the state. Read the Victorian Department of Health alert here.
For more information about measles, head to एमवीईसी: खसरा.
Previous MVEC news on measles:
MVEC: Cases of measles rising around the world (February 2024)
MVEC: The dangers of vaccine misinformation: Robert F Kennedy Jr (July 2023)