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AAP Fact Check: Debunking vaccine misinformation

Recently the AAP Fact Check team has assessed several vaccine-related claims, debunking myths about: the impact of COVID-19 vaccination in New Zealand; aerosol vaccines in Brisbane; and the benefit of tetanus vaccines.

An article circulating online suggests that New Zealand’s vaccine rollout caused an increase in COVID-19 deaths. The Fact Check team demonstrates that an increase in COVID-19 deaths was related to increased transmission, and that high vaccination rates were estimated to have contributed to 4600 to 9500 lives saved between January 2022 and June 2023.

Read the full article here, AAP Fact Check: No, vaccination wasn't the cause of COVID deaths in NZ

An Instagram post tied images of undulatus cloud formations over Brisbane to myths surrounding the development of a needle-free COVID-19 vaccine. Contrary to the Instagram post’s implication that the new vaccine is being deployed by aircraft, the needle-free vaccine Canadian researchers are developing cannot be administered this way, and would be inhaled through a mouthpiece. According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the clouds are a natural weather phenomenon.

Read the full article here, AAP Fact Check: Claim about aerosol vaccine operation clouds the truth

Another Instagram posts claims that tetanus vaccination provides little benefit, promoting vitamin C as an alternative treatment. The Fact Check team shows that tetanus infections and deaths declined significantly following the introduction on tetanus vaccines. Fact Check systematically addresses the many claims made in the original video, providing evidence for the safety and importance of tetanus vaccination.

Read the full article here, AAP Fact Check: Tetanus vaccine claims shot down by experts

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NCIRS: Final data show suboptimal influenza vaccine coverage in 2025

The टीकाकरण अनुसंधान और निगरानी के लिए राष्ट्रीय केंद्र (एनसीआईआरएस) has released its final influenza vaccination coverage data for 2025.

The data shows that influenza uptake is suboptimal across all age cohorts. 

• The 50-to-64-years and 65-years-and-older groups had the lowest vaccination rates in six years. 
• The 6-months-to-4-years group had the lowest rates since 2021. 
• The 15-to-49-years and 5-to-14 years groups both recorded slightly higher rates than 2024, but lower than previous years. 

2025 influenza vaccine coverage data is available via the NCIRS website.

For more information on influenza disease and immunisation, go to एमवीईसी: इन्फ्लुएंजा

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ACIP: US changes to vaccine guidance and recommendations

The American Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met recently, voting to change MMRV and COVID-19 vaccine guidelines and recommendations, and postponing a vote on proposed changes to hepatitis B vaccination.

The combination measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine (MMRV) is no longer recommended in the US for children under 4 years of age. The COVID-19 vaccine is no longer recommended for all adults in the US; recommendations are now subject to a ‘shared decision-making’ process whereby individuals are advised to weigh up risks and benefits with a healthcare professional.

Via our social media platforms, MVEC has published a shortform explainer (@mvecau on Instagram) on ACIP’s MMRV change and why it shouldn’t impact confidence in Australia’s immunisation program. 

Materials from the 18 to 19 September meeting are not yet fully accessible for all audiences.  

The following articles from US-based publications offer more context on the ACIP meeting:

NPR: CDC advisers punt on hepatitis B vaccine vote, after changing guidance on MMRV
ABC News: Why doctors say the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine is still necessary

For more information on the relevant vaccine-preventable diseases, go to:

एमवीईसी: खसरा
MVEC: Varicella
एमवीईसी: कोविड-19
एमवीईसी: हेपेटाइटिस बी

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States offering nasal spray influenza vaccine in 2026

New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia have announced free nasal spray influenza vaccine programs for young children. Already widely used overseas, the FluMist intranasal vaccine is undergoing regulatory approval in Australia ahead of next year’s flu season. 

The state programs will cover children aged between 2 and 5 years. The regular injectable influenza vaccine remains free nationwide for all children aged 6 months to < 5 years. 

Read more on each state program here:
New South Wales: Free nasal spray influenza vaccine for children under five
Queensland: 2026 Queensland Nasal Spray Flu Immunisation Program
South Australia: Needle-free flu vaccine for SA children 

Read more about influenza disease and immunisation at एमवीईसी: इन्फ्लुएंजा

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NEJM: Clesrovimab for prevention of RSV disease in healthy infants

A recent trial has shown that a single dose of the monoclonal antibody clesrovimab reduced the incidence of RSV-associated lower respiratory infection and RSV-associated hospitalisation in healthy preterm and full-term infants. 

Clesrovimab demonstrated 60% efficacy in reducing medically attended RSV-associated lower respiratory infection and 84% efficacy in reducing RSV-associated hospitalisation. The adverse-event profile of clesrovimab was similar to that of placebo. The authors note that rare serious adverse events may not be detected in a trial of this size (3632 infants). 

Read the paper in full: NEJM: Clesrovimab for prevention of RSV disease in healthy infants

Read more about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) at MVEC: RSV

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New York Times: The playbook used to ‘prove’ vaccines cause autism

The New York Times recently published an essay written by public health expert and science communicator Dr Jess Steier. Focusing on the work of vaccine critic David Geier, Dr Steier breaks down the “anti-vaccine research playbook” to help people spot flawed science.

Read the article in full at NYT: The playbook used to ‘prove’ vaccines cause autism

Read more on autism and vaccination on MVEC: Autism and immunisation

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