Health and Immunisation Management Services

21/10/2026

In July 2025, my two-year-old son Caleb became seriously unwell with invasive pneumococcal disease.

At first, it seemed like a common childhood illness, but he quickly became lethargic, developed a high fever, stopped eating and drinking, and was barely responsive. We took him to Queensland Children’s Hospital, where he was admitted and started on IV antibiotics.

Tests confirmed Streptococcus pneumoniae in his bloodstream and bacterial meningitis. It was incredibly frightening. I didn’t realise pneumococcal disease could cause meningitis, or that a healthy, fully vaccinated child could become so unwell so quickly.

Caleb was treated with IV antibiotics and steroids for 14 days and had a PICC line inserted. Thankfully, he recovered well and has no lasting complications. He’s now back to his happy, energetic self.

I want to share Caleb’s story because many people underestimate how serious pneumococcal disease can be. It’s not just pneumonia—it can cause bloodstream infection, meningitis, permanent complications, and even death.

Vaccination is so important, even though no vaccine can prevent every case. Falling vaccination rates worry me. These diseases haven’t disappeared, and awareness is more important than ever.

I hope Caleb’s story encourages parents to trust their instincts. If your child is very different from their usual self, hard to wake, floppy, or rapidly deteriorating, seek urgent medical care.

Caleb's mum 💜

21/10/2026

South Australian flu infections double as young woman recounts 11‑day hospital fight.

An Adelaide woman who spent almost two weeks in hospital battling influenza is urging South Australians not to become complacent as cases surge across the state.

Maddie Ellis, 28, was vaccinated earlier this year — but as a recovering breast cancer patient with a compromised immune system, she says the flu hit her harder than she ever expected.

Ellis relied on high‑flow oxygen for days.

“We were able to slowly taper that down, but the biggest thing was that trouble in breathing,” she said.

SA Health data shows flu infections are now almost doubling each fortnight, with 325 new cases recorded last week and 11 deaths so far this year.

07/10/2026

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness, and multiple outbreaks are happening around the world, including Australia.

Australia is currently experiencing higher numbers of imported cases of measles in overseas visitors and residents returning from overseas, and the potential for local outbreaks is a real concern.

While Australia has maintained its World Health Organization-certified measles elimination status, other industrialised countries, such as Canada, Spain and the UK, have recently lost theirs during rising global outbreaks.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known. Even relatively small immunity gaps in communities can create opportunities for the virus to spread when cases are imported from overseas.

Most of this year’s measles cases have been recorded in unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated adults aged 20 to 49 years.

Measles is highly infectious –a single case has the potential to infect up to 18 other unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated people.

07/10/2026

Measles is serious, even for adults and particularly for people who have a weakened immune system.

In some cases, measles can be fatal due to complications, with deaths possible mainly in children under five years of age, particularly from pneumonia, and occasionally from encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

Measles can also cause lasting disability, such as hearing loss, as well as make people more vulnerable to other illnesses.

29/09/2026

Did you know that research emerging from Adelaide University in partnership with NT Health - suggests that two doses of the Meningococcal B vaccine were associated with a lower risk of gonorrhoea notifications in people aged 14-22.

Researchers believe that this may be because the Meningococcal and Gonorrhoea bacteria are closely related and it's likely the vaccine triggers an immune response to help recognise and prevent both infections.

With 5 states vaccinating babies and teens for Men B, the question is: when will WA and NSW realise it's time to act! Make your voice heard by clicking the link and signing the petition https://tr.ee/8IMmXqUNFw

27/09/2026

27/09/2026

25/09/2026

A temporary vaccination service has been set up for a school community in Adelaide's southern suburbs after four students tested positive for measles.

Read the story: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-25/sa-health-issues-measles-outbreak-alert-sets-up-vaccine-clinic/107195022

25/09/2026

There have been 538 cases of diphtheria in 2026 across Australia as part of the largest outbreak of the disease since records began.

However public health experts warn a drop in testing means actual numbers could be higher.

Federal and state governments continue to work to mitigate the largest outbreak of diphtheria since records began in 1991, with 538 cases recorded primarily in the Northern Territory and Western Australia, as well as in South Australia and Queensland.

That is more than 17 times the previous peak in 2022, when 31 cases were recorded.

Diphtheria is a highly contagious and dangerous bacterial infection that can affect the nose, throat, airways or the skin.

Diphtheria spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, or direct contact with infected wounds.

Once a leading cause of childhood deaths and historically known as the "strangling angel", diphtheria has been considered largely eliminated in Australia since the 1950s, on the back of routine vaccination use.

Maintaining strong immunisation uptake remains the best way to prevent severe cases of diphtheria.

25/09/2026

Cutaneous (skin) diphtheria symptoms can cause:
👉🏼 skin ulcers with a bluish appearance, often on the legs or arms
👉🏼 infection of pre-existing skin lesions.

Cutaneous diphtheria wounds are slow to heal and become chronic if left untreated.

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent diphtheria.