In this episode of Matter of Vax Podcast, host Steph O'Connell interviews Professor Robert Booy about pneumococcal and meningococcal diseases. Pneumococcal and meningococcal are caused by a bacterium that can quickly lead to serious disease including pneumonia, meningitis and septicemia. Vaccination is critical for prevention.

Professor Booy emphasizes the importance of implementing routine vaccination for all at-risk individuals to effectively combat these dangerous diseases.

Visit Immunisation Foundation of Australia for more information

Host Steph O'Connell is a public health advocate with 25 years’ experience in strategic communications. She became a public voice for vaccinations when her daughter, Lily (23), narrowly survived W strain of Meningococcal on Christmas Day, 2017. Nine months later her sister, Grace, donated a kidney that has since transformed Lily’s life. 

Steph’s advocacy for immunisation awareness and vaccination became a collaboration in 2018 with Meningococcal Australia and resulted in Meningococcal vaccination campaigns by the Australian Government Department of Health and NSW Health. Lily’s story quickly resonated with audiences and became a national and international appeal for awareness, education and vaccination. 

Steph’s work expanded during the pandemic and today she continues to advocate for improved access to vaccines, public education for lifelong vaccination behaviour and policy reform. MatterofVax, in collaboration with Immunisation Foundation of Australia takes a look at topical immunisation issues on video and podcast. 

Matter of Vax is produced by Ampel, for Immunisation Foundation of Australia.