MatterofVax

Catherine Hughes, a passionate immunisation advocate, recounts her personal story of loss and her mission to combat vaccine-preventable diseases. After losing her son, Riley, to whooping cough in 2015, Catherine's immunisation advocacy has led to the establishment of the Immunisation Foundation of Australia and an inspiring impact on immunisation in Australia that continues to save lives today. With insightful discussions on whoopi...

Dr. Gary Grohmann is former Director of Immunobiology and World Health Organization (WHO) Essential Regulatory Laboratories at the Therapeutic Goods Administration.  He currently works as an independent consultant, primarily with WHO on influenza related projects in the Global Influenza Programme and the Essential Medicines Programme. Dr. Grohmann has served on several WHO steering committees. His primary interests are in vacc...

Nicholas Wood is a General Paediatrician, Senior Staff Specialist and Associate Director, Clinical Research and Services at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS), where he heads the Clinical Research, AusVaxSafety and Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS) programs. Nick is a Professor in the Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health at the University of Sydney. He leads the NS...

Professor Christopher Blyth has nearly two decades experience in clinical paediatric and infectious diseases research. He is a clinical academic, NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow and Director of Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases; Telethon Kids Institute [TKI]). He is Professor of Paediatrics with the School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, a Paediatric Infectious Disea...

Matter of Vax - Pregnancy and Vaccines with Dr. Michelle Giles

In this episode, host Steph O'Connell talks with Dr. Michelle Giles, an infectious diseases expert specialising in pregnancy. Their discussion covers the ins and outs of vaccines before, during, and after pregnancy, including pre-pregnancy health checks and vaccines given to mothers to protect newborns. This episode is a must-listen for anyone planning a pregnancy, expe...

In this episode of Matter of Vax, host Steph O'Connell discusses the critical issue of hepatitis with public health professional Nafisa Yussf. They delve into the causes, modes of transmission, and prevention of various types of hepatitis, particularly hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. The discussion highlights the significant impact hepatitis has on communities, especially in Australia, and emphasises the importance of awareness, testi...

In this episode of Matter of Vax, Steph O'Connell discusses the highly infectious Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) with Dr. Nusrat Homaira, a paediatric respiratory epidemiologist. They explore how RSV predominantly impacts children under two, leading to severe conditions in infants and posing risks to the elderly. The discussion highlights the distinctions between RSV and influenza, the burden on healthcare systems, and the recen...

In this episode of 'Matter of Vax' Professor Tom Snelling, Director of Health and Clinical Analytics, University of Sydney, joins host Steph O'Connell to discuss discuss the resurgence of whooping cough (pertussis), its causes, symptoms, and the importance of immunisation. The episode emphasises the significance of vaccinations, particularly during pregnancy, and booster doses for both children and adults to prevent severe cases of...

Travel can expose you to new health risks and knowing what those risks are and how to prevent them could be the difference between a good holiday or bad and in some case, between life and death.

Dr Deb Mills has a passion for medicine and travel. She is the medical director of Dr Deb THE Travel Doctor, and has been working in travel medicine for over 25 years. She is one of the pioneers of Travel Medicine in Australia. She is a res...

In this podcast episode of Matter of Vax, Professor Christopher Blyth joins host Stephanie O'Connell to discuss influenza and its impact on public health. He highlights the significant decrease in influenza cases and deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic due to preventive measures such as vaccinations, travel restrictions, quarantine, hand hygiene, and mask-wearing.

Professor Blyth predicts a significant flu season in 2023 as restric...

In this episode of "Matter of Vax" podcast, host Steph O'Connell interviews Professor Julia Brotherton, a public health physician and professor of cancer prevention policy and implementation. They discuss the human papillomavirus (HPV), its link to cancers, the importance of vaccination and its impact on cervical cancer’s global footprint.

The HPV vaccine, developed by Australian scientists, has proven highly effective in preventin...

In this episode Steph speaks with Dr. Rod Pearce, the Chair of the Immunisation Coalition and former member of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). They discuss the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in Australia, its history, how vaccines are included and how vital the program is for all of us.

They highlight the complex process of funding and decision-making, with tensions between medical recommendati...

In this episode of the Matter of Vax podcast, host Steph O'Connell discusses shingles and vaccines with guest Dr. Paul Van Buynder, a public health physician and professor in the School of Medicine at Griffith University. Shingles is a common and painful condition that affects a large number of Australians each year, especially those over the age of 50. Dr. Van Buynder explains the long-term consequences of shingles, including post...

In this episode of Matter of Vax Podcast, host Steph O'Connell interviews Professor Robert Booy about pneumococcal and meningococcal diseases. Pneumococcal and meningococcal are caused by a bacterium that can quickly lead to serious disease including pneumonia, meningitis and septicemia. Vaccination is critical for prevention.

Professor Booy emphasizes the importance of implementing routine vaccination for all at-risk individuals t...

In this episode we talk to Renza Scibilia. A diabetes advocate, international speaker and media spokesperson for most of her life. We chat about how Health organisation's navigate putting out information on how to co-exist with COVID. How can patients navigate the maze of messaging and overcome the uncertainty that is leading, in some cases, to a lack of confidence in vaccination and the health system?   MatterofVax ...

Then there were three. We start with the tough questions about COVID vaccines on everyone’s lips then ask; “should we have a choice of vaccine ?” We broach the new subject of booster shots for immune compromised patients. Is that a priority for Australia now FDA has approved in the US? With flu season here, meningococcal season next, is Australia keeping pace with vaccine schedules ? What impact could the COVID-19...

It’s easy enough to find yourself at risk in a pandemic. For so many patients, caregivers, family and friends, managing that risk is already a way of life. But with COVID-19 the risk has amplified and begs the question about life in future for patients and those at higher risk. 

We talk to Professor Greg Dore, an Infectious Diseases Physician, at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, Australia, to find out who is at risk ...