AAP FactCheck debunks more circulating vaccine misinformation
AAP FactCheck has recently assessed online claims regarding the COVID-19 and MMR vaccines.
According to the FactCheck team, a Facebook post claiming that myocarditis from COVID-19 vaccines will lead to millions of deaths is based on a misrepresentation of the Cleaveland Clinic’s information published about viral myocarditis.
Read AAP FactCheck’s full article for a detailed breakdown of why the claim is false.
Go to MVEC: COVID-19 for information about COVID-19 disease, epidemiology and vaccination.
AAP FactCheck has also deemed that claims a baby in the US developed measles from the MMR vaccine are misleading. Health authorities say there is no evidence that the vaccine caused measles in this case.
AAP FactCheck: Misinformation spreads amid measles outbreak
MVEC: Sởi
TGA: Arexvy approved for use in adults aged 50 to 59 with RSV risk
Các Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) has extended the approval of the RSV vaccine Arexvy to include adults aged 50 to 59 years who are at increased risk for RSV disease.
Arexvy is also approved for use in all adults aged 60 years and older.
For more information on RSV disease and vaccination, see MVEC’s updated RSV immunisation reference.
World Immunization Week 2025
This year's World Immunization Week runs from 24 April - 30 April 2025 and highlights the critical need to protect all communities against vaccine-preventable diseases and champion that Immunisation for All is Humanly Possible.
Vaccines are one of humanity’s greatest achievements. Over the last 50 years, essential vaccines have saved at least 154 million lives. That’s 6 lives a minute, every day, for five decades. In these 50 years, vaccination accounts for 40% of the improvement in infant survival, and more children now live to see their first birthday and beyond than at any other time in human history. Measles vaccine alone accounts for 60% of those lives saved.
Yet there are more lives to be saved by building on these achievements. Globally, 14.5 million children missed all vaccinations in 2023. In today’s interconnected world, an outbreak anywhere is a threat everywhere.
What can you do?
- make sure you are up to date with your routine vaccines
- if going overseas, ensure you see your immunisation provider at least 6 weeks prior to see if there are additional vaccines recommended for you
- share trusted information on vaccines to stop the spread of misinformation.
AAP FactCheck debunks circulating vaccine misinformation
False claims suggesting that the World Health Organization (WHO) admitted to vắc xin mRNA causing mpox or breast cancer have been circulating online. AAP FactCheck have deemed both claims false.
There is no evidence to suggest a causal association between mRNA vaccines and mpox, or mRNA vaccines and breast cancer.
In Australia, adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) are thoroughly investigated by jurisdictional and national health authorities through passive and active surveillance systems. This supports our safe vaccination programs and maintains community confidence in vaccines.
AAP FactCheck: False claim linking breast cancer to mRNA vaccines misrepresents WHO study's findings
AAP FactCheck: WHO has not 'admitted' mpox is COVID vaccine side effect
ABC Health Report (podcast): Why the US measles outbreak is so concerning
In a recent episode of the Health Report (19 April 2025), paediatric infectious diseases physician Dr Linny Phuong spoke about the ongoing outbreak of thai kỳ in the United States and the increasing number of cases emerging in Australia. Key discussion points include:
- disease transmission and the importance of herd immunity
- measles disease and complications
- vaccination (including the need for earlier doses for children travelling)
- maternal protection for newborns
- misinformation and barriers to vaccination.
You can listen to the podcast đây.
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 đây.
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
Các 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
Các 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 Và PAEDS: Paediatric Influenza Australia for current data on RSV and influenza in Australia. Data is updated monthly.
MVEC: PAEDS (Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance)
MVEC: Virus hợp bào hô hấp (RSV)
MVEC: Cúm
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.