Experts gather for immunisation symposium

A symposium to discuss the current status of vaccine preventable diseases in South Australia will be held at the University of Adelaide on April 21, attracting a wide range of local experts on immunisation.

Participants will share the latest information on challenges in vaccine development, practical experience in immunisation programs and identify opportunities for researchers, policy makers and practitioners to work together.

The event is being organised by the Preventative Healthcare Research Cluster, which aims to improve population health and well-being by fostering a multi-disciplinary approach to research.

Speakers will include:

• Professor Robert Booy, Co-director of the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance;
  
• Dr Rod Givney, Director of the Communicable Diseases Control Branch of the SA Department of Health;
  
• Professor Chris Burrell and Professor James Paton from the School of Molecular & Biomedical Science;
  
• Dr Allison Jilbert, Leader of the Hepatitis Virus Research Group;
  
• Dr Michael Gold, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Paediatrics;
  
• Dr Rick Stapleton from Royal Adelaide Hospital;
  
• Dr Andrew Lawrence from the SA Children, Youth and Women's Health Service;
  
• Ms Sarah Dugdale of the SA Immunisation Coordination Unit;
  
• Dr Celia Cooper from the SA Children, Youth and Women's Health Service;
  
• Associate Professor Annette Braunack-Mayer from the Department of Public Health.

The symposium will be held on Friday, April 21 at the Stirling Lecture Theatre, Medical School South, from 3pm to 8pm.

Interested parties should contact Anne Hayes, Project Coordinator,Preventative Healthcare Research Cluster, Phone 8303 4914 email anne.hayes@adelaide.edu.au