Matter of Vax - Pregnancy and Vaccines with Dr. Michelle Giles

In this episode, host Steph O'Connell talks with Dr. Michelle Giles, an infectious diseases expert specialising in pregnancy. Their discussion covers the ins and outs of vaccines before, during, and after pregnancy, including pre-pregnancy health checks and vaccines given to mothers to protect newborns. This episode is a must-listen for anyone planning a pregnancy, expecting, or caring for a newborn and includes discuss on vaccines against chickenpox, rubella, influenza, whooping cough, and COVID-19. 

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Host Steph O'Connell is a public health advocate with 25 years’ experience in communications and health 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.