AAP FactCheck debunks vaccine misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines
AAP FactCheck has debunked 2 vaccines myths that have been circulating: no, a study did not report that a rise in cancer rates was explained by COVID-19 vaccine mandates; and no, researchers did not find COVID-19 mRNA vaccines killed more people than the virus.
According the to the FactCheck team, posts circulating on social media that imply rising cancer rates are explained by COVID-19 vaccination have no basis. Social media comments linking cancer rates with COVID-19 vaccination have been published in connection with a study on rising bowel cancer rates based on 1990 to 2020 data, well before COVID-19 vaccines were introduced.
Read AAP FactCheck: Study's cancer rate rise not linked to COVID vaccines for a breakdown of why the claim is false.
AAP FactCheck has also debunked online claims that German scientists announced new evidence proving COVID-19 mRNA vaccines killed more people than the virus. The researchers made no such finding.
Read AAP FactCheck: No, German study did not blame mRNA vaccines for excess pandemic deaths for more details.
Go to एमवीईसी: कोविड-19 for information about COVID-19 disease, epidemiology and vaccination.
ProPublica: RFK Jr. Wants to Change a Program That Stopped Vaccine Makers From Leaving the U.S. Market. They Could Flee Again.
Earlier this week Robert F Kennedy Jr announced plans to overhaul the US program that compensates people injured by vaccination.
The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) was developed in the 1980s as a means for people who experience rare but serious side effects from vaccines to receive compensation from pharmaceutical companies, without manufacturers being found negligent. The program was developed at a time when lawsuits drove vaccine makers from the market.
The VICP covers vaccines routinely recommended to children or pregnant people. Changes to the program could potentially prompt vaccines makers to withdraw from the US market like they did in the 1980s.
Read the ProPublica article in full
CNN: Kennedy announces plan to reform Vaccine Injury Compensation Program
The Kids: RSV immunisation guidance tool
The Kids Research Institute has developed a tool designed to help current and future parents and caregivers, as well as healthcare providers, determine the best options for RSV immunisation depending on individual circumstances.
The tool has been developed based in Western Australia, but it aligns with RSV programs in other jurisdictions too. Check your local state or territory immunisation authority for accurate information.
The Kids: RSV immunisation guidance tool
एमवीईसी: रेस्पिरेटरी सिंकाइटियल वायरस (आरएसवी)
Save the date: MVEC Immunisation Skills Workshop in October
MVEC’s next Immunisation Skills Workshop will be held in Melbourne on Friday 24 October 2025. This half-day, interactive event is designed to educate and upskill accredited immunisation providers.
Registrations opening soon. Read more about this event and whether it’s right for you on our event page.
MVEC: Immunisation Skills Workshop – Friday 24 October 2025
Updated immunisation reference page: Travel and immunisation
International travel carries an increased likelihood of exposure to infections, illness or injury that a person may otherwise not be exposed to. When travelling overseas it is important to obtain vaccine recommendations from a healthcare professional trained in travel medicine to ensure optimal protection when in another country.
MVEC has recently updated its travel immunisation reference page. The updated page includes recommendations for routine vaccines, travel-specific vaccines and non-vaccine precautions. The reference also covers how and when to access preventative care before travel, and considerations for high-risk groups.
Victoria: RSV program for older Victorians
On 14 July 2025 it was announced that Victoria will deliver a vaccination program to protect older adults from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The RSV vaccine Arexvy will be free for residents aged over 60 years in public and Aboriginal community-controlled aged care services.
RSV is a virus that causes upper and lower respiratory tract infections. Children under 1 year of age, those with underlying medical conditions, the older population and immunocompromised prople are more likely to experience serious disease causing hospitalisation.
RSV vaccines are currently recommended but not widely funded for all adults over 75 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 60 to 74 years, and adults with specified medical conditions aged 60 to 74 years (Arexvy or Abrysvo).
RSV vaccination is recommended and funded for pregnant people from 28 weeks’ gestation (Abrysvo only).
Read more about the new program यहाँ
एमवीईसी: रेस्पिरेटरी सिंकाइटियल वायरस (आरएसवी)
MVEC: Vaccine administration error alert: Incorrect RSV prevention product
Mirage News: Australia declared free from bird flu in poultry
The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has declared the eradication of H7 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry in Victoria. There have been no new cases on H7 HPAI since 24 February 2025.
Avian influenza (bird flu) viruses are classified as low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) or HPAI. HPAIs generally cause severe disease and higher mortality than LPAIs.
Mirage News: Australia free from bird flu in poultry
CHOP: 9,000 reasons for routine childhood hepatitis B vaccination
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) recently published an article outlining the importance of hepatitis B vaccination. Key points include:
- hepatitis B virus and its proteins can be transmitted in amounts of blood not detectable to the naked eye and the virus can live for up to 7 days on surfaces and objects; this means it can be transmitted in unexpected ways
- babies infected early in life – whether through undiagnosed hepatitis B in their mother or unwitting exposure to infected blood – often develop chronic, undiagnosed hepatitis B which they then continue to spread
- hepatitis B vaccines are safe and they work.
Read the full article here
For more information, go to एमवीईसी: हेपेटाइटिस बी
Register now: ACIPC Conference
The Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control will hold its 2025 ACIPC International Conference from 16–19 November in Hobart.
Learn more and register on the ACIPC Conference website.
Register now: Aotearoa New Zealand Immunisation Conference 2025 and pre‑conference workshop
This year’s conference and pre-conference workshop will be held from 3–5 September in Hamilton.
Earlybird registration is open until 25 July 2025.
Learn more and register on the Immunisation Advisory Centre website.