The New York Times: Diphtheria, a Once Vanquished Killer of Children, Is Resurgent
Countries with civil wars or large populations of refugees are seeing diphtheria outbreaks. This recent article examines the resurgence of diphtheria, its spread fuelled by “disruptions in routine immunization that came with Covid and its stress on global health systems, and the rise in vaccine hesitancy”.
Diphtheria is a potentially life-threatening, acute bacterial illness. For more information on disease transmission, epidemiology and prevention, visit MVEC: Diphtheria.
New York Times: Diphtheria, a Once Vanquished Killer of Children, Is Resurgent
Australian Immunisation Handbook: Recent updates
The Australian Immunisation Handbook has recently been updated with minor changes to several sections:
- 疫苗接种
- 水痘
- Vaccination for people who are immunocompromised
- 结核病
- Tetanus
- Q fever
- Preparing for vaccination
- Poliomyelitis
- 百日咳
- 麻疹
- Infants exposed to immunosuppressive therapy in utero or through breastmilk
- 白喉
Each handbook entry includes a history of updates at the bottom of the web page, describing any changes made to the entry.
SBS: 'Concerning' or a sign of 'good things'? What Australia's flu record means
This recent article examines the higher number of lab-confirmed influenza in 2025 compared to 2024. The number of cases reported is up 10% from last year.
A range of experts highlight different factors to consider in the context of this year’s influenza rates: including, influenza testing rates, hospitalisation rates and vaccination rates.
SBS: 'Concerning' or a sign of 'good things'? What Australia's flu record means
For more information about influenza disease and vaccination, visit MVEC：流感
Victorian Department of Health: Local mpox transmission in Melbourne
The Victorian Department of Health has issued a health alert following an increase in mpox cases since mid-September. The 10 cases recently reported include 9 cases locally acquired in metropolitan Melbourne.
For more information about mpox, visit MVEC: Mpox.
Survey: Understanding how non-scheduled and additional vaccines are administered in practice
MVEC has developed a survey to better understand experiences and practices around the administration of non-scheduled or 额外的 vaccines.
Help inform immunisation-related education by completing this brief survey (up to 5 minutes).
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：乙型肝炎.
Read MVEC’s Annual Reports
Did you know you can read MVEC'秒 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.
这 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：麻疹 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:
- mpox
- pertussis (whooping cough).
The report is available to read in full on the Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
MVEC：麻疹
MVEC: Mpox
MVEC: Pertussis (whooping cough)