Investigators: Dr Kefyalew Alene, Dr Hannah Moore, Prof Archie Clements, Dr Mejbah Bhuiyan, Dr Rebecca Pavlos, Dr Ben Scalley, A/Prof Christopher Blyth
Project description
Influenza infection causes substantial health and economic burden particularly in both the young and elderly. Vaccination remains the primary strategy to prevent and control influenza, however, despite funded program for key populations, control remains inadequate. In addition to population-based programs, focused programs to improve influenza vaccine use in high-risk populations are required.
Western Australia (WA) is a very large state with marked differences in population structure, socioeconomic conditions, household size and climatic conditions. Influenza activity also varies markedly across the state. Understanding of the spatial distribution of influenza infection, influenza vaccination and ecological factors associated with influenza infection in WA will enable us to develop targeted influenza-prevention programs.
This proof of principle study brings together epidemiologists, clinicians, and public health officials to produce detailed maps, identifying regions with both high rates of influenza infection and low rates of vaccination. The project will also enable us to assess the relative impact of other factors including population structure, socioeconomic and climatic factors on rates of influenza infection. These factors are critical to develop targeted vaccination programs, identifying who should be targeted, where do they live and when is the optimal time for them to be vaccinated.
Once developed, these skills will be applied to other key vaccine preventable diseases including COVID-19.
Funders
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccine and Infectious Diseases