Wake‑up call: rebuilding vaccine confidence

Name: Wake‑up call: rebuilding vaccine confidence
Start: 2026-05-13T18:00:00+10:00
End: 2026-05-13T19:00:00+10:00
Location: The Duke of Wellington

Schedule

Wed May 13 2026 at 06:00 pm to 07:00 pm

UTC+10:00

Location

The Duke of Wellington | Melbourne, VI

Explore why vaccine confidence is falling and how we can rebuild trust, boost uptake, and protect those at risk from preventable diseases.
About this Event
Talk Description
COVID-19 precipitated the biggest decline in routine vaccine coverage globally and the lowest levels of trust in vaccines in more than a decade, largely due to escalating misinformation and the erosion of public health. Vaccine preventable diseases, such as measles, pertussis and polio have increased in Australia and globally leaving millions at risk of poor health, disability or death. This shocking decline in childhood vaccination rates is a "wake-up call" for the Australian Government and the health sector, with childhood vaccination rates declining yearly over the last 5 years. So how do we tackle increasing vaccine uptake, combating mis and disinformation in the face of divisive geopolitics and build public trust in vaccines with a focus on vaccine equity and leaving no-one behind? Join Professor Margie Danchin as she discusses these challenges and the role of innovation, strong partnerships, co-design, effective communication and community engagement.
Bio
Professor Margie Danchin
Professor Margie Danchin is a paediatrician, vaccinologist and Dame Kate Campbell Fellow at the Royal Children’s Hospital, University of Melbourne and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, and Associate Dean International for the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, UOM. She leads the Vaccine Uptake and Clinical Trials Group at MCRI, with research focused on improving child health and vaccine effectiveness, confidence and uptake in Australia, the Asia‑Pacific region and globally. She is a member of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, works closely with DFAT on regional immunisation support, and her research has influenced immunisation policy and practice in Australia and globally.