Immunisation – protecting our children from disease
Further Reading
The Science of Immunisation: Questions and Answers (November, 2012)
This publication aims to address confusion created by contradictory information in the public domain. It sets out to explain the current situation in immunisation science, including where there is scientific consensus and where uncertainties exist. The Science of Immunisation: Questions and Answers was prepared by a Working Group and Oversight Committee made up of Academy Fellows and other Australian scientists with internationally recognised expertise in immunology.
October 2010
Cell survival protein discovery rewrites immune system story
Describes how a discovery by Australian researchers has challenged the long-held beliefs about how the body’s immune system establishes its memory.
March 2005, pages 38-40
War of the worms (by Joanne Lello)
Suggests that interactions between different parasitic species in the intestine can influence the effectiveness of vaccines.
September 2004, page 41
HIV outwits vaccine researchers (by Simon Grose)
Reveals why creating a vaccine for HIV is proving difficult..
A collection of Nature articles on the eradication of polio is available.
12 July 2012
Australian boys to get HPV vaccinations : Nature News Blog
(By Daniel Cressey)
Outlines how the Australian developed the Gardasil HPV vaccine will be given to 13 and 14 year old boys to help curb
the spread of the human papillomavirus (HPV).
25 May 2011, Edition 473 page 434
Vaccines: The case of measles (News feature)
Discusses why, despite the dramatic success that vaccination campaigns have had against measles, eradicating the disease remains a distant prospect.
25 May 2011, Edition 473, page 436.
Vaccines: The real issues in vaccine safety (By Roberta Kwok)
Compares what is known about the risks of vaccination against those of not being vaccinated.
6 July 2009
A knockout vaccine for rabies? (By Lizzie Buchen)
A rabies vaccine that reverses the disease in mice after just one injection may pave the way to cheap, effective prevention of the fatal illness.
2 February 2006, page 509
When a vaccine is safe
Comments on the public acceptance of a vaccine for Lyme disease.
2 February 2006, pages 524-525
Lyme disease: Uphill struggle (by Alison Abbott)
An in-depth article about Lyme disease and the development of a vaccine.
26 June 2003, pages 912-914
AIDS vaccines: Back to 'plan A' (by Erika Check)
Discusses the revival of the antibody strategy in AIDS vaccine research.
2 November 2011
US to test anthrax vaccine in children...maybe (by Debora McKenzie)
Discusses the ethical and risk management aspects regarding testing of vaccines.
28 September 2011
Vaccines enjoy a healthy return (by Debora MacKenzie)
Reports on the change in vaccines' fortunes as potential money-makers for pharmaceutical companies.
23 September 2011
In development: a vaccine for acne (by Debora McKenzie)
Reports on a vaccine that will help fight acne.
14 June 2011
Cheap vaccine eradicates new cases of meningitis A (by Andy Coghlan)
Describes the dramatic effects of a new vaccine against meningitis A in three west African countries.
9 June 2011
Big pharma offers cut-price vaccines to poor children
Reports on a price war between pharmaceutical companies that is helping to drive the prices of vaccines down.
7 June 2008, page 12
Hay fever vaccine needs just four shots (by Andy Coghlan)
Reports on development of a vaccine for hay fever
4 February 2007, page 12
Vaccine zaps allergy in record time (by Aria Pearson)
Looks at the development of new vaccines for allergy sufferers that are effective within a few weeks.
27 January 2007, page 9
Vaccines set to target immune panic button (by Andy Coghlan)
Describes a new type of vaccine that recruits the immune system to enhance their effectiveness.
25 November 2006, page 10
Beefed-up vaccine hits back at polio (by Debora Mackenzie and Linda Geddes)
Reports on a new vaccine to eradicate polio in areas where the traditional vaccine is not effective.
14 October 2006, pages 21-23
Friend or foe? (by Peter Aldhous)
Looks at the dilemma caused by research into new vaccines and drugs that can be used in biowarfare.
23 September 2006, page 13
If it stops plague, will it stop hospital superbugs? (by Deborah MacKenzie)
Looks at a way to make vaccines against many different pathogens.
19 August 2006, page 12
Vaccine to fend off HIV moves a step closer (by Roxanne Khamsi)
Discusses the possibility of an HIV vaccine containing ‘boosted’ immune cells.
27 July 2006, page 8
Eradicating polio leaves people defenceless (by Debora MacKenzie)
Reports that the number of polio cases is increasing in some areas.
3 June 2006, page 16
‘Alien code’ leads to faster vaccines (by Peter Aldhous)
Describes the use of a modified three letter code for virus genes to make a weakened virus, which is suitable for a vaccine.
29 April 2006, pages 12-13
Vaccines at birth come a step closer (by Bob Holmes)
Looks at a way to vaccinate new born babies, which is particularly important in poorer countries.
18 March 2006, page 7
Africa leads measles purge
Provides an update on the progress of a measles vaccination campaign in Africa.
9 March 2006, page 12
Vaccine could stop MS in its tracks (by Andy Coghlan)
Describes the trial of a vaccine that destroys the white blood cells that attack myelin.
14 January 2006, page 17
Rotavirus vaccines set to slash infant deaths (by Alison Motluk)
Describes two new vaccines to prevent death from diarrhoea in children.
19 March 2005, page 42-45
The cure that came in from the cold (by Robin Orwant)
Covers the comeback of serum therapy as a method of vaccination.
5 March 2005, page 16
Ending MMR shots does not halt rise in autism (by Andy Coghlan)
Comments on the results of a study of more than 30,000 children on the effect of the MMR vaccine on autism.
19 February 2005, page 3
The temptation of edible vaccines
Comments on the risk of edible vaccines finding their way into the human food chain.
19 February 2005, page 19
Why vaccination by potato got chopped
Argues that a vaccine made in genetically modified potatoes was abandoned because of fears that 'pharm' crops could be mixed with normal produce.
19 February 2005, page 42
Vaccines for pennies (by James Randerson)
The story of an Indian husband and wife team who built a facility to produce a hepatitis B vaccine.
October 2009, pages 52-59
Boosting vaccines: The power of adjuvants (by Nathalie Garçon and Michel Goldman)
Comments on renewed interest in adding ingredients that can enhance the effect of vaccines.
May, 2008, pages 74-75
Can this man beat the flu with a single universal vaccine? (by Alexander Hellemans)
Reports on research that could help to develop a universal flu vaccine.
3 January 2007
How much AIDS vaccine do poor countries really want? (by JR Minkel)
Reports on efforts by public health groups to understand the factors that influence the use of vaccines in developing countries.
October 2006, pages 34-40
Peacekeepers of the immune system (by Zoltan Fehervari and Shimon Sakaguchi)
Manipulations of regulatory T cells could offer new treatments for conditions ranging from diabetes to organ rejection.
26 July 2006
Irradiated pathogens used to create potent vaccine (by David Biello)
Suggests that irradiated microorganisms trigger a strong immune response.
July 2006, pages 23-24
Dangling a carrot for vaccines (by JR Minkel)
Suggests ways to get companies interested in making vaccines for developing countries.
April 2006, pages 33-39
New hope for defeating rotavirus (by Roger Glass)
Provides a brief history of rotavirus research and breakthroughs in vaccine development.
April 2006, page 13
Turning yellow (by Christine Soares)
Looks at efforts to use the yellow fever vaccine against other diseases.
10 January 2006
Tobacco plant transformed into plague vaccine factory (by David Biello)
Describes the use of plants to produce a vaccine against plague.
9 May 2005
Defensive eating (by Luis Miguel Ariza)
Discusses some of the concerns about food vaccines.
21 January 2002
Vaccines stage a comeback (by Michael Lemonick and Alice Park)
They defeated some of the deadliest diseases known to man and may soon protect us from AIDs, Ebola, heart disease and even cancer.
Page updated November 2012.