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Research
COVID-19 vaccine coverage targets to inform reopening plans in a low incidence settingSince the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in 2019 through to mid-2021, much of the Australian population lived in a COVID-19-free environment. This followed the broadly successful implementation of a strong suppression strategy, including international border closures. With the availability of COVID-19 vaccines in early 2021, the national government sought to transition from a state of minimal incidence and strong suppression activities to one of high vaccine coverage and reduced restrictions but with still-manageable transmission.
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Development of a sustained release implant of benzathine penicillin G for secondary prophylaxis of rheumatic heart diseaseRegular intramuscular (i.m.) benzathine penicillin G (BPG) injections have been the cornerstone of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) secondary prophylaxis since the 1950s. Patient adherence to IM BPG is poor, largely due to pain, the need for regular injections every 3-4 weeks and health sector delivery challenges in resource-limited settings. There is an urgent need for new approaches for secondary prophylaxis, such as an implant which could provide sustained penicillin concentrations for more than 6 months.
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Implications of Non-Specific Effects for Testing, Approving, and Regulating VaccinesThe current framework for testing and regulating vaccines was established before the realization that vaccines, in addition to their effect against the vaccine-specific disease, may also have "non-specific effects" affecting the risk of unrelated diseases. Accumulating evidence from epidemiological studies shows that vaccines in some situations can affect all-cause mortality and morbidity in ways that are not explained by the prevention of the vaccine-targeted disease.
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Correlates of immunity to Group A Streptococcus: a pathway to vaccine developmentUnderstanding immunity in humans to Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) is critical for the development of successful vaccines to prevent the morbidity and mortality attributed to Strep A infections. Despite decades of effort, no licensed vaccine against Strep A exists and immune correlates of protection are lacking; a major impediment to vaccine development.
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Developmental outcomes following vaccine-proximate febrile seizures in childrenTo compare the developmental and behavioral outcomes of children experiencing an initial vaccine-proximate (VP) febrile seizure (FS) to those having a non-VP-FS (NVP-FS) and controls who have not had a seizure.
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Attitudes about and access to influenza vaccination experienced by parents of children hospitalised for influenza in AustraliaImproving parents’ and providers’ knowledge and confidence in influenza vaccination safety, efficacy, and benefits should be prioritised
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Impact of Childhood Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine on Nonnotified Clinically Suspected Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in AustraliaThis study provides a quantitative estimate of the total burden of invasive pneumococcal disease preventable by vaccination programs in Australia
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Immunogenicity and Safety of a Quadrivalent Meningococcal ACWY-tetanus Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine 6 Years After MenC Priming as ToddlersOne dose of MenACWY-TT boosts protection against MenC in primed children, is safe and extends protection against MenA, MenW and MenY
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The politics of picking: Selective vaccinators and population-level policyPublic health systems face tensions between individuals and the collective. Parents who selectively vaccinate demonstrate this tension
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Baseline incidence of adverse birth outcomes and infant influenza and pertussis hospitalisations prior to the introduction of influenza and pertussis vaccinationThese baseline data are essential to assess the safety and effectiveness of influenza and pertussis vaccinations in pregnant women from the NT