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Persistence of the immune responses and cross-neutralizing activity with Variants of Concern following two doses of adjuvanted SCB-2019 COVID-19 vaccine

We have previously reported the safety and immunogenicity four weeks after two doses of the Clover COVID-19 vaccine candidate, SCB-2019, a stabilized pre-fusion form of the SARS-CoV-2 S-protein (S-trimer). We now report persistence of antibodies up to 6 months after vaccination, and cross-neutralization titers against three Variants of Concern.

Lack of effectiveness of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccination against pneumococcal carriage density in Papua New Guinean infants

Papua New Guinea (PNG) introduced the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in 2014, with administration at 1, 2, and 3 months of age. PCV13 has reduced or eliminated carriage of vaccine types in populations with low pneumococcal carriage prevalence, carriage density and serotype diversity.

Plasma secretory phospholipase A2 as an early marker for late-onset sepsis in preterm infants—a pilot study

Preterm infants are particularly susceptible to bacterial late-onset sepsis (LOS). Diagnosis by blood culture and inflammatory markers have sub-optimal sensitivity and specificity and prolonged reporting times. There is an urgent need for more rapid, accurate adjunctive diagnostics in LOS to improve management and minimise antibiotic exposure.

School-based HPV vaccination positively impacts parents’ attitudes toward adolescent vaccination

This qualitative study aimed to explore parental attitudes, knowledge and decision-making about HPV vaccination for adolescents in the context of a gender-neutral school-based Australian National Immunisation Program (NIP). Semi-structured interviews with parents of adolescents eligible for HPV vaccination were undertaken as part of an evaluation of a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a complex intervention in 40 schools (2013-2015).

Clinician-rated quality of video otoscopy recordings and still images for the asynchronous assessment of middle-ear disease

Video otoscopy plays an important role in improving access to ear health services. This study investigated the clinician-rated quality of video otoscopy recordings and still images, and compared their suitability for asynchronous diagnosis of middle-ear disease. Two hundred and eighty video otoscopy image-recording pairs were collected from 150 children (aged six months to 15 years) by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, audiologists, and trained research assistants, and independently rated by an audiologist and ENT surgeon.

Professor Christopher Blyth

Centre Head, Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases; Honorary and NHMRC Career Development Fellow, Paediatric Infectious Diseases Physician and Clinical Microbiologist

Jennifer Kent

Clinical Research Manager

The Kids researchers help quantify global impact of life-saving vaccines

Researchers at The Kids Research Institute Australia have helped map the global impact of life saving vaccines to mark the 50-year anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI).

Clinical trial to examine whether “mixing” COVID-19 vaccine boosters is more effective

Top infectious disease experts in Australia will lead a clinical trial to determine whether combining different Covid-19 vaccines in the nation’s booster immunisation will increase effectiveness.

Meningococcal vaccine provides extra protection for bubs

In 2017, a steep rise in cases of meningococcal disease caused by the W strain sparked a wave of concern for parents in Western Australia.