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 MVEC: COVID-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
MVEC: Virus hợp bào hô hấp (RSV)
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 đây
MVEC: Virus hợp bào hô hấp (RSV)
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
Các 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 MVEC: Viêm gan B
National Immunisation Strategy for Australia 2025–2030
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing recently published Australia’s latest 5-year national immunisation strategy, to increase and sustain immunisation uptake in Australia.
The strategy defines 6 priority areas:
- improve access to immunisation, with a focus on equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other priority populations
- build trust, understanding and acceptance of immunisation in communities
- use data more effectively to target immunisation strategies and monitor performance
- strengthen the immunisation workforce
- harness new technologies to respond to the evolving communicable disease and vaccine landscape
- implement sustainable reform in vaccine program governance, program delivery and accountability.
Read the strategy in full on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
NEJM: Measles 2025
A recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) reviews the current epidemiology of measles and addresses recommendations for prevention.
The authors note that the recommended age for the first dose of measles-containing vaccine depends on the waning of maternal antibodies and the risk of measles exposure. The review highlights immunity gaps in young infants, and examines the utility of an early or additional vaccine dose for more effective protection.
Đọc bài viết đầy đủ ở đây: Do LAH, Mulholland K. Measles 2025. N Engl J Med. Published online June 25, 2025. doi:10.1056/NEJMra2504516
WHO: Measles case data for the Western Pacific Region
TGA: Correct administration of RSV vaccine and antibody products
Các Quản lý hàng hóa trị liệu (TGA) has recently published a safety update with advice on how to avoid errors when administering RSV vaccine and antibody products.
The advice has been published in response to reports of administration errors. The article reminds prescribers and providers that each product is indicated for different patient groups, includes a summary of RSV products and administration errors, and provides advice for preventing errors.
MVEC recently published an error alert on RSV products, which outlines RSV errors reported in Victoria. This alert summarises error prevention, and procedures to follow in the event of an error.
Read the TGA article in full
MVEC: Virus hợp bào hô hấp (RSV)
MVEC: Vaccine errors: prevention, management and open disclosure (eLearning course)
MVEC: Flyers for ‘Abrysvo for pregnant people’ flyer
NIP: Change to measles-containing vaccine supply
From 1 July 2025, there are new arrangements for the supply of measles-containing vaccines under the Chương trình Tiêm chủng Quốc gia (NIP). Whereas previously both GSK and CLS supplied these vaccines, now only GSK will supply them.
Vaccine providers cannot place new orders for CSL’s M-M-R II (MMR) or Varivax (varicella). But existing stock should still be used until it either expires or runs out.
Providers can now only order GSK’s Priorix (MMR), Priorix-Tetra (MMR) and Varilrix (varicella).