Unbiased Science: Dying on Bradford's Hill: The Anti-Vaccine Movement's Favorite Epidemiology Trick
Following a recent essay unpacking the “anti-vaccine research playbook”, public health expert and science communicator Dr Jess Steier has published an article showing how the same “playbook” is applied to research on aluminium and vaccines.
Dr Steier and co-authors Izzy Figueroa and Paige Boklaschuk examine what aluminium does in vaccines and why, before assessing the research of Dr Christopher Shaw who studies the effects of aluminium.
Read the article in full at Unbiased Science: Dying on Bradford's Hill: The Anti-Vaccine Movement's Favorite Epidemiology Trick
WHO: Maldives becomes the first country to achieve ‘triple elimination’ of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated the Maldives for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B. Having previously eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, the Maldives is now the first country to achieve ‘triple elimination’.
This achievement is attributed to comprehensive antenatal care with nearly universal testing for these diseases, and the strong immunisation program. Over 95% of newborns consistently receive a timely dose of hepatitis B birth dose and full vaccine coverage.
For more information about hepatitis B disease and vaccination, visit MVEC: Viêm gan B.
Read MVEC’s Annual Reports
Did you know you can read MVEC'S Annual Reports on our website? Head to the ‘About us’ page to read reports for 2023–24 and for 2024–25. We are proud to share our highlights and achievements.
Measles reminder and alerts
Amid increasing measles cases in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia, the Australian Centre for Disease Control has issued a reminder to get vaccinated.
Các Victorian Department of Health recently issued a health alert following a new measles case in Victoria. The alert includes an up-to-date list of public exposure sites in Victoria.
Head to our immunisation reference pages MVEC: Sởi for more information about measles disease, epidemiology and prevention.
ATAGI: Annual Statement on Immunisation 2025
On 14 October, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) published its fourth annual statement in immunisation. The statement highlights the key successes, trends and challenges in the use of vaccines and control of vaccine preventable diseases in Australia in 2024, and includes advice to address key issues for 2025.
The report identifies emerging and re-emerging vaccine-preventable diseases of particular concern, including:
- thai kỳ
- mpox
- pertussis (whooping cough).
The report is available to read in full on the Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing trang mạng.
MVEC: Sởi
MVEC: Mpox
MVEC: Pertussis (whooping cough)
TGA: AIVC recommendations for the composition of influenza vaccines for Australia in 2026
The Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AIVC) met earlier this month to recommend the composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in Australia in 2026.
AIVC recommended the following viruses for vaccines used in Australia for the 2026 southern hemisphere trivalent influenza vaccines:
Egg-based influenza vaccines:
- A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
- A/Singapore/GP20238/2024 (H3N2)-like virus
- B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
Cell-based influenza vaccines:
- A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
- A/Sydney/1359/2024 (H3N2)-like virus
- B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
Read the Therapeutic Goods Administration's (TGA) statement on AIVC’s recommendations in full đây.
AIVC’s recommendation aligns with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for influenza vaccine composition for the 2026 southern hemisphere influenza season.
There has been no detection of the naturally occurring B/Yamagata-lineage influenza virus since 2020. Therefore, in 2023 the World Health Organization (WHO) influenza vaccine advisory committee expressed the opinion that the inclusion of a B/Yamagata lineage antigen is no longer warranted.
For more information, read WHO Q&A on recommendations for 2024 south hemisphere composition of influenza vaccines.
Beyond the Noise: Jumping Without a Net
On his substack Beyond the Noise, American paediatrician and vaccinologist Prof Paul Offit examines the possibility of delaying the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine.
In response to the likelihood that ACIP (the US Advisory Committee on Imunization Practices) will recommend delaying the hepatitis B birth dose, Prof Offit explains the history and rationale of hepatitis B vaccination in America. He emphasises the risks of delaying vaccination.
Read the article in full at Beyond the Noise: Jumping Without a Net
Getting more kids vaccinated on time: Strategies and broader policy considerations to address caregiver-identified barriers to childhood immunisation in Australia
A recent article published in Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health explores evidence-based, feasible strategies to improve childhood vaccination coverage.
The authors propose a multi-sectoral, multi-component approach: improve service access and utilisation; support provider education and advocacy; support parent confidence and engagement with vaccination; and facilitate providers’ access to immunisation data.
Read the full article here, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health: Getting more kids vaccinated on time: Strategies and broader policy considerations to address caregiver-identified barriers to childhood immunisation in Australia
Immunisation Coalition: 2025 Shingles Webinar
On 19 November, the Immunisation Coalition will host a webinar providing an update on shingles epidemology and current trends in vaccination rates. The webinar will feature A/Prof John Litt and Dr Andrew Minton.
Ngày: 19 November 2025
Thời gian: 6:00–7:00 pm AEDT
Learn more and register on the Immunisation Coalition’s event page.
MVEC: Zoster herpes (shingles)
Immunisation Coalition: DTPa immunisation for U5 year olds (webinar)
On 5 November the Immunisation Coalition will host a webinar exploring the importance of maintaining high DTPa coverage in early childhood.
The webinar will feature A/Prof Nusrat Homaira and Dr Andrew Baird, moderated by Dr Rod Pearce.
Ngày: 5 November 2025
Thời gian: 6:30–7:30 pm AEDT
Learn more and register on the Immunisation Coalition’s event page.