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Landmark Australian influenza collaboration finalist for Eureka Prize

Infectious disease researchers who used a decade of scientific evidence to advocate for a nationwide childhood influenza immunisation policy have earned a finalist position at the country’s most prestigious science awards – the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.

Important things you should know about this year’s flu season

News headlines about the large number of life-threatening cases of the flu in Western Australia this winter have been hard to miss - find out what you can do to protect your family.

WA parents oblivious to true danger of the flu

Perth parents are underestimating the serious consequences of the flu, with only 19 per cent of children under five years of age currently immunized against the virus ahead of the peak winter flu season.

The Kids researcher awarded Research Translation Projects grant

A new research project aims to demonstrate how influenza vaccination in children could be a highly cost-effective health care intervention in Australia.

Video: Flu vaccine Q&A

It's that time of year again... Flu vaccine time! Watch Dr Chris Blyth answer commonly asked questions in the video below.

Beating the flu bug

Perth children are being asked to volunteer for an important national study to test the effectiveness of an influenza vaccine in children.

Immunisation

Immunisation is the most effective way of protecting your child against a range of serious illnesses, including measles, hepatitis B and whooping cough. All vaccines used in Australia undergo stringent testing and ongoing monitoring.

Vaccination

Vaccination is the injection of an inactivated bacteria or virus into the body. This simulated infection allows an individual's immune system to develop an adaptive immunity for protection against that type of illness. When a sufficiently large percentage of a population has been vaccinated, this results in herd immunity.

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.

Understanding parental decisions to decline or delay infant RSV immunisation, nirsevimab, in Western Australia in 2024

In 2024, the government of Western Australia introduced 'nirsevimab', a monoclonal antibody offering protection from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), for eligible infants. This study explores why parents of infants who were eligible to receive nirsevimab opted to decline or delay the immunisation.