With COVID-19 being described as an endemic infection, we are now very much living with the virus. As we approach the Winter months in Australia, where are we at with case numbers? When is the correct time to get a your booster vaccination for COVID-19? And how effective are antiviral treatments?

To give us an update on COVID-19, we're joined by Professor Ben Cowie, an infectious diseases physician and epidemiologist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Chief Health Officer in Victoria’s Department of Health.

Show notes

COVID-19 vaccine advice and recommendations for 2024 - Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website

COVID-19 booster eligibility checker - Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website

Get in touch

Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email doherty-media@unimelb.edu.au

With COVID-19 being described as an endemic infection, we are now very much living with the virus. As we approach the Winter months in Australia, where are we at with case numbers? When is the correct time to get a your booster vaccination for COVID-19? And how effective are antiviral treatments?
To give us an update on COVID-19, we're joined by Professor Ben Cowie, an infectious diseases physician and epidemiologist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Chief Health Officer in Victoria’s Department of Health.
Show notes
<a href="https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/covid-19-vaccines/getting-your-vaccination">COVID-19 vaccine advice and recommendations for 2024</a> - Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website
<a href="https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-booster-eligibility-checker">COVID-19 booster eligibility checker</a> - Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website
Get in touch
Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email <a href="mailto:doherty-media@unimelb.edu.au">doherty-media@unimelb.edu.au</a>

Welcome to Infection and Immunity - Evidence Explained, a Doherty Institute podcast. Each fortnight we bring you the latest news and information on all things infectious diseases and immunology from the Doherty Institute and our collaborators.

Join us as we talk with world-leading experts to discuss the latest scientific and public health evidence around emerging and endemic diseases, from COVID-19 and Buruli ulcer, to HIV and the flu.

Welcome to Infection and Immunity - Evidence Explained, a Doherty Institute podcast. Each fortnight we bring you the latest news and information on all things infectious diseases and immunology from the Doherty Institute and our collaborators.
Join us as we talk with world-leading experts to discuss the latest scientific and public health evidence around emerging and endemic diseases, from COVID-19 and Buruli ulcer, to HIV and the flu.

Infection and Immunity

Welcome to Infection and Immunity - Evidence Explained, a Doherty Institute podcast. 

Each fortnight on a Friday, we’ll bring you the latest news and information on all things infectious diseases and immunology from the Doherty Institute and our collaborators. Join us as we talk with world-leading experts to discuss the latest scientific evidence around emerging and endemic diseases – from COVID-19 and Buruli ulcer to HIV, the flu and everything in between.

Welcome to Infection and Immunity - Evidence Explained, a Doherty Institute podcast. 
Each fortnight on a Friday, we’ll bring you the latest news and information on all things infectious diseases and immunology from the Doherty Institute and our collaborators. Join us as we talk with world-leading experts to discuss the latest scientific evidence around emerging and endemic diseases – from COVID-19 and Buruli ulcer to HIV, the flu and everything in between.

When should I get my COVID-19 booster?

Post infection disease is a term that has become more familiar to many more of us following the COVID-19 pandemic. How do we diagnose and treat post infection disease, like Long COVID? And how to we add this aspect to our future pandemic preparedness?

Learn more about common symptoms, at-risk groups and more from Long COVID expert Professor Lena Sanci, Head of the Department of General Practice and Primary Care at the University of Melbourne.

Get in touch

Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email doherty-media@unimelb.edu.au

Post infection disease is a term that has become more familiar to many more of us following the COVID-19 pandemic. How do we diagnose and treat post infection disease, like Long COVID? And how to we add this aspect to our future pandemic preparedness?
Learn more about common symptoms, at-risk groups and more from Long COVID expert Professor Lena Sanci, Head of the Department of General Practice and Primary Care at the University of Melbourne.
Get in touch
Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email <a href="mailto:doherty-media@unimelb.edu.au">doherty-media@unimelb.edu.au</a>

Diagnosis and treatment of Long COVID

Monday, 20 May marked International Clinical Trials Day, which recognises the anniversary of the first controlled clinical trial conducted back in 1747.

So why are clinical trials important when it comes to advancing therapeutics and vaccines? Are clinical trials safe? What's involved if you participate in a trial? We learn more from infectious diseases physician and clinician scientist, Professor Michelle Giles, head of the Vaccine Research Group at the Doherty Institute.

Show notes:

Now recruiting volunteers: Are you interested in being part of an RSV vaccine study?

Get in touch

Want to join the Vaccine Research Group database to find out about clinical trial volunteer opportunities? 

Email: virgo-studies@unimelb.edu.au

Phone: +61 3 8344 9325 or +61 4 1832 2346

Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email doherty-media@unimelb.edu.au

Monday, 20 May marked International Clinical Trials Day, which recognises the anniversary of the first controlled clinical trial conducted back in 1747.
So why are clinical trials important when it comes to advancing therapeutics and vaccines? Are clinical trials safe? What's involved if you participate in a trial? We learn more from infectious diseases physician and clinician scientist, <a href="https://www.doherty.edu.au/people/professor-michelle-giles">Professor Michelle Giles</a>, head of the Vaccine Research Group at the Doherty Institute.
Show notes:
<a href="https://www.doherty.edu.au/our-work/cross-cutting-disciplines/clinical-and-health-systems-research/research/are-you-interested-in-being-part-of-an-rsv-vaccine-study">Now recruiting volunteers: Are you interested in being part of an RSV vaccine study?</a>
Get in touch
Want to join the Vaccine Research Group database to find out about clinical trial volunteer opportunities? 
Email: <a href="mailto:virgo-studies@unimelb.edu.au">virgo-studies@unimelb.edu.au</a>
Phone: <a href="tel:+61383449325">+61 3 8344 9325</a> or <a href="tel:+61418322346">+61 4 1832 2346</a>
Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email <a href="mailto:doherty-media@unimelb.edu.au">doherty-media@unimelb.edu.au</a>

Why clinical trials are vital for developing new vaccines and therapeutics

Influenza B viruses are often overlooked but can cause significant illness and mortality, especially in children. Little is known about how the immune system interacts with these viruses, however a recent breakthrough by researchers at the Doherty Institute may revolutionise how we are protected against influenza B and for longer periods.

Tejas Menon, co-author of the recent discovery and PhD Candidate at the Doherty Institute, explains how the immune system consistently recognises fragments of influenza B viruses, which opens up potential new targets for vaccine development.

Show notes:

News story: New frontiers in influenza B research: Breakthrough unveils promising targets for vaccine development

Peer review: Menon T, Illing P, Chaurasia P, et al. CD8+ T-cell responses towards conserved influenza B virus epitopes across anatomical sites and age. Nature Communications (2024). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47576-y

Check out our previous episode: Here’s what you need to know about flu season 2024

Get in touch

Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email doherty-media@unimelb.edu.au

Influenza B viruses are often overlooked but can cause significant illness and mortality, especially in children. Little is known about how the immune system interacts with these viruses, however a recent breakthrough by researchers at the Doherty Institute may revolutionise how we are protected against influenza B and for longer periods.
Tejas Menon, co-author of the recent discovery and PhD Candidate at the Doherty Institute, explains how the immune system consistently recognises fragments of influenza B viruses, which opens up potential new targets for vaccine development.
Show notes:
<a href="https://www.doherty.edu.au/news-events/news/influenza-b-breakthrough-unveils-promising-targets-vaccine-development">News story: New frontiers in influenza B research: Breakthrough unveils promising targets for vaccine development</a>
Peer review: Menon T, Illing P, Chaurasia P, et al. CD8+ T-cell responses towards conserved influenza B virus epitopes across anatomical sites and age. Nature Communications (2024). DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47576-y">https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47576-y</a>  
Check out our previous episode: Here’s what you need to know about flu season 2024
Get in touch
Have a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Contact us via email <a href="mailto:doherty-media@unimelb.edu.au">doherty-media@unimelb.edu.au</a>

When should I get my COVID-19 booster?

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