AAP FactCheck debunks circulating vaccine misinformation
False claims suggesting that the World Health Organization (WHO) admitted to mRNA疫苗 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 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 这里.
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 这里.
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
这 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
这 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 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：呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）
MVEC：流感
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.
Medium: A comprehensive review of the MMR vaccine studies – Many years and millions of people revealed no link to autism
This recent article presents a review of MMR vaccine studies over the years. Based on conclusive scientific evidence, the authors affirm that parents can be confident that vaccinating their children protects them from serious illness without increasing the risk of autism.
State-based nirsevimab immunisation programs commencing
Nirsevimab is a long-acting RSV-specific monoclonal antibody recommended for some infants as part of the RSV Mother and Infant Protection Program (RSV-MIPP).
The RSV vaccine Abrysvo is funded on the National Immunisation Program for pregnant people from 28 weeks’ gestation. Nirsevimab is recommended for infants:
- whose mother did not receive an RSV vaccine during pregnancy
- born within two weeks of Abrysvo being administered
- at increased risk of severe RSV
- born to mothers with severe immunosuppression.
Nirsevimab programs are already underway in some jurisdictions. The South Australian, Tasmanian and Victorian programs will start on 1 April 2025.
Catch-up programs for infants born before the nirsevimab program commences vary between jurisdictions. Also, note that some infants are recommended to receive nirsevimab in their second RSV season. Read the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance’s (NCIRS) document State and territory nirsevimab (Beyfortus) infant program summary 2025 了解更多信息。
Learn more on MVEC’s immmunisation reference page, MVEC：呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）.
ATAGI: Statement on the administration of seasonal influenza vaccines in 2025
On 3 March, the national Department of Health and Aged Care released the ATAGI关于2025年季节性流感疫苗管理的声明.
Influenza vaccines are recommended annually and are funded on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for:
- children aged 6 months to less than 5 years
- all adults aged 65 years and older
- specific populations aged 5 to 64 years who are at greatest risk of developing complications from influenza infection (including 孕妇, 澳大利亚原住民, and those with certain medical risk factors).
For more details, refer to ATAGI’s full statement, and MVEC’s influenza reference page which has been updated for the 2025 influenza season.