Vaccination

RSV vaccination is now free for people aged 75 and older, but more awareness of the vaccine is needed to increase uptake.

The development of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines to fight COVID-19 provided a watershed moment in vaccinology. How far can they take us?

Primary care providers play a central role in lifting uptake of vaccination in high-risk communities, but they cannot do it alone. 

Many kids are scared of getting needles, and this can stop them getting vaccinations that protect that against the flu. Less than one in four Australian children were vaccinated against influenza in 2025.

Allen Cheng, Christopher Blyth

If you work in an emergency department, giving “tetanus shots” is routine. Dirty laceration, dog bite, gardening injury — we clean the wound, assess tetanus risk, check the record (or try to), and administer a booster when it is due.

Michael D. Nissen, Faye Jordan, Polash Adhikari, Megan Young, Alec Henderson, Sebastian Vernal, Luis Furuya-Kanamori

The recent childhood vaccine changes in the USA, which substantially reduce the number of routine childhood vaccines, will sow more seeds of doubt and confusion in the community about the safety, efficacy and even the need of vaccines. We should not follow the opinions of politicians and of unsubstantiated antivaccine groups, but follow the science.

Gary Grohmann, Robert Booy

Why is it that different states and territories have different policies on meningococcal B vaccination?

Gary Grohmann, Robert Booy

In 2025, Australia delivered free access to RSV immunisations for all infants. Early data show this initiative has prevented thousands of babies from being hospitalised, but the work of overcoming misinformation, ensuring equitable access, and encouraging acceptance continues.

Catherine Hughes

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Australia free of measles in 2014.

Frank Beard, Kristine Macartney