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Research

Influenza

Influenza (commonly known as the flu) is caused by a highly contagious virus spread mainly through coughing and sneezing. An annual flu vaccination is the most effective way to prevent flu outbreaks.

News & Events

Childhood influenza vaccination rates improves with better access

More children across Australia are being vaccinated against the flu since funding was expanded and access widened under the National Immunisation Program

Research

Effectiveness of nirsevimab in preventing RSV-hospitalisation among young children in Western Australia 2024

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) causes a significant burden of illness for children under 2 years of age. Nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody, was registered for RSV prevention in Australia in 2023. In April 2024, Western Australia (WA) launched the country's first state-wide nirsevimab program for all infants and high-risk children entering their second RSV season. 

Research

Boosting the influenza vaccine schedule in children with cancer: a prospective open-label study

Current immunization guidelines recommend one dose of influenza vaccine for children aged ≥9 years and two doses for younger or vaccine-naïve children. However, children receiving chemotherapy have an attenuated immune response. We performed a prospective open-label study in children undergoing treatment for cancer at Perth Children's Hospital, Western Australia, to examine the safety and efficacy of a boosted influenza schedule.

Research

Australian hospital paediatricians and nurses’ perspectives and practices for influenza vaccine delivery in children with medical comorbidities

Influenza vaccination of children with medical comorbidities is critical due their increased risks for severe influenza disease. In Australia, hospitals are an avenue for influenza vaccine delivery to children with comorbidities but are not always effectively utilised. Qualitative enquiry sought to ascertainment the barriers and enablers for influenza vaccination recommendation, delivery, and recording of these children at Australian hospitals.

Research

Pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 infection in Victoria, Australia

Conflicting findings regarding the level of protection offered by seasonal influenza vaccination against pandemic influenza H1N1 have been reported.

Research

Immunogenicity and safety of a combined Haemophilus influenzae type b-Neisseria

Neisseria meningitidis serogroups B, C, and Y cause most meningococcal disease in industrialized countries...

Research

Safety and Immunogencity of a Prototype Adjuvanted Inactivated Split-Virus Influenza A (H5N1) Vaccine in Infants and Children

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus (H5N1) is a leading candidate for the next influenza pandemic, and infants and children may play an important role...

Research

Long-term derangement of antigen presenting cell populations in the respiratory tract following Influenza A infection

This project investigates how different populations of cells within the respiratory tract immune system are altered during a viral infection.

Latest news & events

Latest news & events at the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Diseases.