Understanding Measles and Vaccination with Professor Christopher Blyth

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 Diseases Physician at Perth Children's Hospital (PCH). Professor Blyth was appointed as a member of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) in 2012, serving until December 2021 and has been instrumental in a number of significant changes in national immunisation policy. In this episode, we delve into the re-emergence of measles in Australia, exploring its symptoms, spread, and the critical importance of vaccination. Professor Blyth provides insightful explanations on the high transmissibility of measles, the effectiveness of the measles vaccine, and common myths surrounding it. We also discuss the current challenges in keeping vaccination rates high, particularly in the face of public health disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine hesitancy.

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Host Steph O'Connell is a public health advocate who became a public voice for public awareness about preventable diseases and access to vaccines when her daughter, Lily, narrowly survived meningococcal W strain in 2017. Nine months later her sister, Grace, donated a kidney to help restore Lily’s life. Steph’s advocacy became a collaboration in 2018 with Meningococcal Australia and resulted in Meningococcal vaccination campaigns thanks to the Australian Government Department of Health. Lily’s story quickly resonated with audiences and became a national and international appeal for action. Today Steph continues to advocate through her series Matter of Vax, as she takes a look at topical issues affecting Australian immunisation on video and podcast. The series is available thanks to a collaboration with Immunisation Foundation of Australia and educational grant from GSK Australia. Matter of Vax is produced by Ampel at Myrtle & Pine Studios.

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