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Friendly bacteria reduces flu symptoms and ear infections in mice

Research reveals that friendly bacteria may help reduce flu symptoms, offering new insights into potential treatments and enhancing our understanding of immune health.

Haemophilus influenzae remains the predominant otitis media pathogen in Australian children undergoing ventilation tube insertion in the PCV13 era

Understanding patterns of bacterial carriage and otitis media (OM) microbiology is crucial for assessing vaccine impact and informing policy. The microbiology of OM can vary with geography, time, and interventions like pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs). We evaluated the microbiology of nasopharyngeal and middle ear effusions in children living in Western Australia, 11 years following the introduction of PCV13.

Evaluating the impact of the ‘Blow, Breathe, Cough’ health promotion intervention in resolving otitis media with effusion in children: An adaptive randomized-controlled trial protocol

Otitis media with effusion (OME) affects hearing, speech development, and quality of life (QoL) in children. The 'Blow, Breathe, Cough' (BBC) intervention promotes nasal, respiratory, and middle ear clearance through nose blowing, deep breathing, coughing, and hand hygiene. It shows promise in resolving OME but lacks randomized-controlled trial (RCT) evaluation. This paper presents a RCT protocol evaluating BBC's effect on OME resolution, hearing, speech, and QoL in children aged two to seven years.

Minimising antibiotic use through prevention of childhood ear infections

Otitis media (OM), or middle ear infection, is one of the most common childhood illnesses globally. In Australia, OM remains a leading cause of antibiotic prescriptions in children, despite growing awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the need for stewardship. Preventing OM not only reduces the burden of disease but also plays a critical role in curbing unnecessary antibiotic use and slowing the rise of AMR.

Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Diseases

The Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Diseases brings together a number of independent researchers and research teams with a common aim; to find and deliver new and improved solutions to prevent and treat serious infections experienced by children or adolescents.

New Aboriginal Cultural Guidance Advisor appointed

The Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases has appointed Mrs Valerie Swift to a newly created Aboriginal Cultural Guidance Advisor position.

Latest infectious disease guidelines aim to keep childcare ‘bug-free’

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has launched their sixth edition of Staying healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services in a bid to tackle the transmission of germs amongst young kids.

RSV and influenza detections hit record low levels in 2020

Western Australia has experienced historically low levels of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza this winter due to the public health measures implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Australia one step closer to COVID-19 shot for under 5s

Australia’s TGA has granted a provisional determination to Pfizer, allowing the pharmaceutical company to apply for approval to extend its COVID-19 vaccine to children aged 6 mths - 4 yrs.

Infectious Disease Surveillance

Contact us If you'd like to get in touch, please contact us by phone or email. Phone: 0400 450 240 Email: vtg@thekids.org.au PAEDS Paediatric Active