The latest advances in vaccine research are providing new insights into how we can better protect individuals and communities from both infectious and non-infectious diseases.

In this episode of The Pathology Report, host and microbiologist Dr Ian Gassiep is joined by clinical immunologist Professor Tri Phan and vaccinology consultant Professor Helen Marshall. Together, they discuss the latest developments in vaccine research, including clinical trials for adults and children, the safety and effectiveness of different vaccines, and the science behind specificity and immune memory.

Key topics include:

  • How the adjuvant component of vaccines may offer immune system benefits beyond the specific antigen that is being targeted.
  • The impact of vaccinations being repeated in the same arm, and how this may change the memory B-cell response between booster shots.
  • The role of vaccines in stimulating tolerogenic responses to treat non-infectious diseases, such as autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis.
  • The major barriers to vaccine uptake, particularly with children and adolescents, and public health measures to increase and maintain vaccination rates.
  • Uncoupling vaccine reactogenicity and immunogenicity to help improve understanding vaccine responses and benefits.
  • Unexpected off-target benefits of vaccines, including the link between meningococcal B vaccine and gonorrhoea and the shingles vaccine and dementia risk.


Episode links:

Women and Children's Hospital - Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit (VIRTU)

RCPA members

This podcast is an RCPA-endorsed CPD activity. Each episode gives you an opportunity to gain CPD hours in three easy steps:

Step 1. Listen or watch the podcast here, on your favourite podcast channel or on YouTube

Step 2. To claim your CPD hours, please complete and pass this short online quiz.

Step 3. Sit back and let us load your CPD hours into your CPD profile for you.

Did you enjoy this episode? Make sure you subscribe to The Pathology Report so you know when the next episode drops, and consider leaving us a five-star review so more people can discover the podcast.

The Pathology Report is produced by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and is part of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network.

Learn more about the RCPA atrcpa.edu.au and discover other shows in the network attalkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.

Rss Apple Podcaster
Podden och tillhörande omslagsbild på den här sidan tillhör Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA). Innehållet i podden är skapat av Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) och inte av, eller tillsammans med, Poddtoppen.