10 episodes

In this Matter of Vax series we explore diseases less talked about. We unpack five of the big, potentially devastating, vaccine preventable diseases that we all need to know more about: meningococcal, pneumococcal, HPV, influenza and shingles. The series features conversations with experts including Professor Julia Brotherton, who emphasizes the safety and efficacy of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Professor Robert Booy about pneumococcal and meningococcal diseases and Dr. Rod Pearce, chair of the Immunisation Coalition and former member of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), who discusses the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in Australia and Professor Chris Blyth speaks on the importance of influenza prevention each year.

Matter of Vax provides valuable insights into the significance of vaccines and their positive influence on society.

Visit Immunisation Foundation of Australia for more information

For more of Matter of Vax, visit https://www.ifa.org.au/matterofvax

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

Listen to Matter of Vax on Apple. 

Matter of Vax is produced by Ampel, for Immunisation Foundation of Australia. 

MatterofVax Immunisation Foundation of Australia

    • Health & Fitness
    • 5.0 • 5 Ratings

In this Matter of Vax series we explore diseases less talked about. We unpack five of the big, potentially devastating, vaccine preventable diseases that we all need to know more about: meningococcal, pneumococcal, HPV, influenza and shingles. The series features conversations with experts including Professor Julia Brotherton, who emphasizes the safety and efficacy of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Professor Robert Booy about pneumococcal and meningococcal diseases and Dr. Rod Pearce, chair of the Immunisation Coalition and former member of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), who discusses the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in Australia and Professor Chris Blyth speaks on the importance of influenza prevention each year.

Matter of Vax provides valuable insights into the significance of vaccines and their positive influence on society.

Visit Immunisation Foundation of Australia for more information

For more of Matter of Vax, visit https://www.ifa.org.au/matterofvax

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

Listen to Matter of Vax on Apple. 

Matter of Vax is produced by Ampel, for Immunisation Foundation of Australia. 

    Human papillomavirus (HPV) with Professor Julia Brotherton

    Human papillomavirus (HPV) with Professor Julia Brotherton

    In this episode of "Matter of Vax" podcast, host Steph O'Connell interviews Professor Julia Brotherton, a public health physician and professor of cancer prevention policy and implementation. They discuss the human papillomavirus (HPV), its link to cancers, the importance of vaccination and its impact on cervical cancer’s global footprint.

    The HPV vaccine, developed by Australian scientists, has proven highly effective in preventing infection and related diseases. The vaccine has had a significant impact in Australia and globally, reducing genital warts and cervical precancerous cases. It also protects against other HPV-related cancers, such as anal and head and neck cancers. Professor Julia Brotherton highlights the importance of the vaccine in preventing cancer, its efficacy and successful implementation worldwide.

     

    Visit Immunisation Foundation of Australia for more information

    For more episodes of Matter of Vax, visit https://www.ifa.org.au/matterofvax

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

    Listen to Matter of Vax on Apple. 

    Matter of Vax is produced by Ampel, for Immunisation Foundation of Australia. 
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 26 min
    Shingles with Dr. Paul Van Buynder

    Shingles with Dr. Paul Van Buynder

    In this episode of the Matter of Vax podcast, host Steph O'Connell discusses shingles and vaccines with guest Dr. Paul Van Buynder, a public health physician and professor in the School of Medicine at Griffith University. Shingles is a common and painful condition that affects a large number of Australians each year, especially those over the age of 50. Dr. Van Buynder explains the long-term consequences of shingles, including postherpetic neuralgia and eye complications

    He discusses two vaccines available in Australia, Zoster and Shingrix, highlighting the benefits and drawbacks of each and ways to protect oneself against shingles. 

    Visit Immunisation Foundation of Australia for more information

    Host Steph O'Connell is a public health advocate with 25 years’ experience in strategic 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. 
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 10 min
    National Immunisation Program with Dr Rod Pearce

    National Immunisation Program with Dr Rod Pearce

    In this episode Steph speaks with Dr. Rod Pearce, the Chair of the Immunisation Coalition and former member of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). They discuss the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in Australia, its history, how vaccines are included and how vital the program is for all of us.

    They highlight the complex process of funding and decision-making, with tensions between medical recommendations and government funding. They also touch on the eligibility criteria for vaccines and the involvement of various healthcare providers. Dr. Pearce emphasises the importance of public discussion and awareness regarding vaccines that are recommended but not funded. The episode provides insights into the NIP's evolution and challenges.

    Visit Immunisation Foundation of Australia for more information

    Host Steph O'Connell is a public health advocate with 25 years’ experience in strategic 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. 
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 10 min
    Meningococcal and Pneumococcal Diseases with Professor Robert Booy

    Meningococcal and Pneumococcal Diseases with Professor Robert Booy

    In this episode of Matter of Vax Podcast, host Steph O'Connell interviews Professor Robert Booy about pneumococcal and meningococcal diseases. Pneumococcal and meningococcal are caused by a bacterium that can quickly lead to serious disease including pneumonia, meningitis and septicemia. Vaccination is critical for prevention.

    Professor Booy emphasizes the importance of implementing routine vaccination for all at-risk individuals to effectively combat these dangerous diseases.

    Visit Immunisation Foundation of Australia for more information

    Host Steph O'Connell is a public health advocate with 25 years’ experience in strategic 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. 
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 9 min
    Influenza with Professor Christopher Blyth

    Influenza with Professor Christopher Blyth

    In this podcast episode of Matter of Vax, Professor Christopher Blyth joins host Stephanie O'Connell to discuss influenza and its impact on public health. He highlights the significant decrease in influenza cases and deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic due to preventive measures such as vaccinations, travel restrictions, quarantine, hand hygiene, and mask-wearing.

    Professor Blyth predicts a significant flu season in 2023 as restrictions ease and people return to normal activities, and he explains why the influenza vaccine needs to be administered annually due to the virus's continuous evolution.

    Professor Blyth emphasizes the importance of staying home when unwell, practicing good cough etiquette, maintaining proper hand hygiene, and considering mask-wearing in crowded places to reduce the transmission of various respiratory viruses. He encourages for us to stay updated with vaccines and to follow preventive measures to protect themselves and their communities.

    Visit Immunisation Foundation of Australia for more information

    For more episodes of Matter of Vax, visit https://www.ifa.org.au/matterofvax

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

    Listen to Matter of Vax on Apple. 

    Matter of Vax is produced by Ampel, for Immunisation Foundation of Australia. 
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 10 min
    Let's talk; long COVID, flu and what's next with Dr Anthony Byrne

    Let's talk; long COVID, flu and what's next with Dr Anthony Byrne

    In this episode of MatterofVax, we’re joined by Assoc. Professor Dr Anthony Byrne, a Thoracic Physician at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney and a researcher with the University of New South Wales, to talk about the long-term effects of COVID-19. 

    MatterofVax is brought to you by ghlf.org.au
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 22 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
5 Ratings

5 Ratings

corecore9222 ,

Great, fact based show!

Awesome, smart, face based, science based, and covering some very important topics. Excited for new episodes!

sayshawe ,

Real stories from real people

Great podcast. Looking forward to more!

TalkingHeadPain ,

Informative and compelling

Such an important topic covered with grace and insight.

Top Podcasts In Health & Fitness

Huberman Lab
Scicomm Media
The School of Greatness
Lewis Howes
Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep
iHeartPodcasts
Passion Struck with John R. Miles
John R. Miles
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
iHeartPodcasts
Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris
Ten Percent Happier