Infectious diseases and immunisation
Infectious diseases remain a major global health challenge, and are among the top causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.ÌýÌýImmunisation is one of our strongest weapons for infectious disease prevention and management, and understanding the behavioural, economic and social factors that impact vaccination acceptance, and reducing barriers to vaccination, remains a priority. Where vaccines are unavailable, non-pharmaceutical interventions are a mainstay of epidemic control, while robust infection control measures safeguard healthcare workers.
At the School of Population Health, our research and teaching aim to enhance the understanding and control of vaccine-preventable and other infectious and communicable diseases in human populations. We’re motivated by the desire to provide strong evidence to support public health decisions that will protect us from infectious diseases.
We specialise in a broad range of cutting-edge tools and techniques including epidemiological models, epidemiological analysis, and operations research techniques. We apply these tools and techniques across a range of research domains.
Our goals
Our research and teaching supports evidence-based policy, community engagement and advocacy for modern infectious disease control. Our research-informed teaching is supported by educators with experience in real-world epidemic surveillance and response, infectious disease modelling, vaccine research, epidemiology, and social science. This means our students and postgraduate research candidates are ready to make a meaningful contribution to the detection of, and response to, infectious disease threats.
Research strengths
- Vaccine effectiveness, uptake and attitudes
- Traveller infections andÌýinfectionÌýcontrolÌý
- Health economics and economic evaluation
- Epidemic control decision support
- Epidemiology of infectious diseases
- Epidemiological modelling to support decision-making around vaccines and therapeutics
- One Health
Mathematical modelling
Mathematical modelling is a key tool for understanding the health burden of disease, and for guiding disease control including evaluating the most efficient approaches. In our school, mathematical modelling research is generally applied in the context of infectious diseases. This includes predicting the impact of preventive interventions such as vaccination, preparing for respiratory epidemics, and informing real-time decision support in responding to the emergence of novel pathogens.
Through engagement with policy-makers, clinicians, patient groups and other researchers, we promote multi-disciplinary research that improves health, healthcare and wellbeing, and health-decision-making.
Health economics
Economic evaluation plays an important role in decision making around vaccination policy in many settings, including in Australia. These evaluations often involve cost-effectiveness modelling to assess the value for money offered by different vaccination strategies. We have extensive experience in this area in the school and specific expertise in combining economic evaluation models of vaccination with mathematical modelling to better understand the impact of herd effects on value for money.
Our impact
Our researchers are providing evidence for improving vaccine delivery and uptake among vulnerable global and local communities, supporting epidemic and pandemic control decisions, building regional capacity for health security. We work with the Australian Government, international government health departments and the World Health Organization to support local and global responses for infectious diseases.
Our experts
Our projects
Epidemic analysis and scenario modelling
Dr Alexandra Hogan and Prof James Wood are investigators on the Australian Centre for Epidemic Forecasting and Analytics (ACEFA), led by University of Melbourne, with partners across several Australian institutions. ACEFA is focussed on developing advanced analytic methods and translational research initiatives to embed robust and timely epidemic analysis into public health decision-making.Ìý
Monitoring the long-term effects of COVID-19
Prof Bette Liu is leading the Post-Acute COVID-19 Outcomes Study, a project funded by the MRFF. This study will track Australians who have had COVID-19 to investigate the long-term health effects of the virus and their use of health services. The findings will provide critical insights that will help inform future public health planning and healthcare resource allocation in Australia
Modelling and surveillance to assist future pandemics
Prof James Wood is leading a NHMRC Partnership Project which in collaboration with health departments from NSW, ACT and Queensland, uses integrated models and surveillance, and insights from the COVID-19 pandemic, to improve our responses to COVID-19, influenza and future pandemic threats.Ìý
Mathematical modelling to inform longer-term policy planning for COVID-19 vaccination in Australia
Dr Alexandra Hogan is leading a NHMRC Investigator Grant which will use advanced mathematical modelling to evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing COVID-19 immunisation programs, including annual boosters and responses to new variants. This research will provide critical insights that will guide equitable and evidence-based vaccine policy in Australia and the broader region.
Study infectious diseases and mathematical modelling at Â鶹Éçmadou
OurÌýMaster's Degree programs in the School of Population HealthÌýoffer courses within this interest area.Ìý