The Conversation: What is RSV? And why should older Australians have this free vaccine?
Professor Allen Cheng’s recent article in The Conversation provides an overview of RSV disease, and outlines RSV vaccine recommendations for older adults, safety and access.
Read the full article at The Conversation: What is RSV? And why should older Australians have this free vaccine?
Read more about respiratory syncytial virus at MVEC：呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）.
Vaccine Education Center at CHOP: Unpacking the Recent Court Decision about Vaccines (video)
这 Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) provides complete, up-to-date and reliable information about vaccines across the lifespan. In this short video, Dr Paul Offit explain the US court decision related to vaccine policy changes made under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.
Vaccine Education Center at CHOP: March 2026: Unpacking the Recent Court Decision about Vaccines (YouTube)
Free influenza vaccination programs in Queensland and Western Australia
Queensland and Western Australia have announced free flu vaccination programs for 2026.
For details on timing of programs and the vaccines offered, read more on each state’s influenza program website:
Learn more about influenza vaccination in 2026 on MVEC’s influenza reference page.
Pharmacy Daily: Pharmacists are ready for flu season
As influenza vaccinations start to roll out nationwide and the Australian community is being urged to get their shots, pharmacists are being reminded of the critical role they play.
Read the full article at Pharmacy Daily: Pharmacists are ready for flu season.
Learn more about influenza prevention in 2026 at MVEC：流感.
Victorian Department of Health: Expanded access to the Japanese encephalitis vaccine for people visiting high-risk areas
Eligibility to receive a free Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine has been temporarily expanded until 30 June 2026 to include people who plan to visit high-risk local government areas in Victoria for outdoor recreation.
Spread to humans through mosquito bites, JE is a leading cause of vaccine-preventable encephalitis (brain inflammation) in Asia and the Western Pacific.
Read the Department’s full health advisory on expanded access at Expanded access to the Japanese encephalitis vaccine for people visiting high-risk areas.
To learn more about JE disease and prevention, visit MVEC：日本脑炎.
ABC: How boosting vaccinations could prevent meningitis outbreak in Australia
As the UK responds to a growing meningococcal B outbreak which has caused 2 deaths, ABC explores prevention and treatment in Australia.
Meningococcal disease can be caused by infection with any subtypes of the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. Of the 13 known subtypes, 5 are vaccine-preventable: A, C, W, Y and B. MVEC strongly recommends everyone wishing to be protected against ACWY and B strains of meningococcal disease be immunised.
For more information on meningococcal, visit MVEC：脑膜炎球菌.
Read the full ABC article at ABC: How boosting vaccinations could prevent meningitis outbreak in Australia.
The Guardian: FDA reverses course and will review Moderna’s mRNA-based flu vaccine
Following backlash after it initially refused to review Moderna’s mRNA influenza vaccine, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will now review the vaccine.
Moderna submitted an application for the FDA to approve the new product in December 2025. Other countries, including Australia, accepted the vaccine for review. The FDA’s initial refusal to review the vaccine sparked concerns about the influence of the current administration.
Read the full article at The Guardian: FDA reverses course and will review Moderna’s mRNA-based flu vaccine.
ABC: Parents fail to return consent forms as Far North Queensland HPV vaccination rate drops
Queensland’s HPV vaccination rates have declined since 2019. Public health experts are concerned about particularly low vaccination rates in some areas, pointing to systemic issues causing students to miss vaccines.
Read the article in full at ABC: Parents fail to return consent forms as Far North Queensland HPV vaccination rate drops.
Read more about human papillomavirus at MVEC: HPV.
Victorian Department of Health: Ongoing measles alert
The health alert for increased travel-related measles cases in Victoria remains open. The health alert includes a list of public exposure sites and details about the current risk of measles. Measles cases have also been reported in other jurisdictions (including NSW, Qld, SA WA).
Read Victoria’s measles alert in full at Increased travel-related measles cases in Victoria.
Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others against measles. Read more about measles disease, transmission, epidemiology and prevention at MVEC：麻疹.
Australian CDC: Nipah Virus Infection Situation Update
On 9 February the Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) published its latest situation update on Nipah virus infection in West Bengal, India and Rajshahi, Bangladesh. The report includes details about the current situation and its relevance to Australia, and details about Nipah virus epidemiology.
Read the full report here: Australian CDC Situation update: Nipah virus infection in West Bengal, India and Rajshahi, Bangladesh