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Symposiums

Symposiums are being held on Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 June. The information will continue to be updated as it is confirmed.

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Symposium #1 - Expanding Protection: Improving vaccine coverage in Australia and worldwide 

Date: Monday 15 June 2026

Start Time: 11:00am

Finish Time: 12:30pm

Room: Danvers room 

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Hosted by: VACSIG

Moderator & Panel discussion chaired by: Prof. Margie Danchin 

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Opening talk: Prof. Chris Blyth

Vaccine coverage globally with a focus on the Asia-pacific region and then Australia and current status of vaccine-preventable diseases in our region- a focus on measles and polio.

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Speakers/ Panellists

  • A/Prof. Jessica Kaufman, Team Leader, Vaccine Social Science, Vaccine Uptake, MCRI

  • Dr. Bianca Middleton, Paediatrician, Vaccine Researcher, Menzies School of Health Research

  • Dr. Kristy Crooks, Public Health Aboriginal Team Lead | Health Protection

  • Prof. Meru Sheel, Professor of Infectious Diseases and Global Health Infectious Diseases, Immunisation and Emergencies (IDIE) Research Group, Sydney School of Public Health

  • Prof. Chris Blyth, Head Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Paediatric Infectious diseases physician and clinical microbiologist, The Kids Research Institute and UWA

  • Camilla Burkot, DFAT Global Health Division, CDC

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The panel will explore the practical and achievable solutions at a regional level and focused on Aboriginal and Torress Straight Islander children and families in Australia. The discussion will cover how we understand barriers to uptake to inform targeted solutions addressing both access and acceptance factors. We will discuss some innovative regional examples to improve coverage and on how to improve health service delivery for Aboriginal and Torress Straight Islander communities. We will touch on some of the big RCTS that have been supported in these communities to try and change policy and practice ie ORVAC for rotavirus vaccines and Nirsevimab for RSV to protect Aboriginal and Torress Straight Islander infants (THRIVE). We will explore regional health security and DFAT priorities and the National Immunisation Strategy (NIS) 2025-30 for Australia.

 

Overview:

Poor vaccine coverage is of great concern worldwide, with the recent pandemic, socioeconomic barriers, political issues, as well as the spread of disinformation all being cited as contributors. The consequences, in terms of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, are now on our doorstep. This session aims to outline the pressing issues and discuss how we can all contribute to improving vaccine confidence and uptake and expanding protection in the Asia-Pacific region and Australia through understanding the drivers of vaccine hesitancy and potential, achievable, solutions. Regional health security is all our responsibility: how can we work together to enhance the health and wellbeing of our communities and minimise duplication of efforts.​​

Symposium #2 - Increasing vaccination demand and uptake: The critical role for behavioural and social science 

Date: Monday 15 June 2026

Start Time: 1:30pm

Finish Time: 3:00pm

Room: Danvers room 

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Hosted by: Collaboration on Social Science and Immunisation (COSSI)

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Facilitated by: Prof. Holly Seale

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Speakers:

  • Prof. Holly Seale

  • International perspective: Lisa Menning  

  • Domestic perspective: Julie Leask  

  • Prof. Kristine Macartney, Director NCIRS or delegate (10 minutes)  

Panellists:

  • Lisa Menning, WHO

  • Prof. Julie Leask, University of Sydney

  • Prof. Allen Cheng, Monash

  • Dr. Stephanie Williams (Assistant Director-General for Communicable Diseases)

  • Prof. Katie Flanagan, ATAGI Co Chair

  • Prof. Kristine Macartney, Director NCIRS

 

Overview:

Immunisation coverage in Australia has declined over the past five years, with reductions observed across the lifespan, including children, high risk adults and older populations. Vaccine uptake is increasingly shaped by cost of living pressures, reduced access to primary care, declining trust in health institutions and government, and growing political polarisation. Reported challenges include loss of trust, vaccine fatigue, communication barriers, and concerns about access and affordability. Understanding these drivers is essential to inform effective strategies to close immunisation gaps in Australia, the Pacific, and globally.

 

A decade ago, the Collaboration on Social Science and Immunisation network was established to bring together researchers and practitioners committed to strengthening vaccine acceptance and uptake through better understanding of social and behavioural influences. This symposium will examine key national and international trends affecting coverage, address the impact of global political dynamics, and explore practical approaches to embedding behavioural and social insights into immunisation program design and delivery.

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Target Audience: Healthcare and immunisation professionals, those working across all levels of government, academics, industry​

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Symposium #3 - ​​Australian Centre for Disease Control: Communicable Diseases Surveillance Strategy stakeholder workshop

Date: Tuesday 16 June 2026

Start Time: 10:45am

Finish Time: 12:45pm

Room: Victory room

** Please note this Session has limited capacity and will be closed off when capacity is reached. **​

 

Hosted by: Australian Centre for Disease Control 

Facilitated by: Sean Chung - Slainte Advisory

Speakers/Panellists: TBA

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Overview:  

This workshop will support national consultation on Australia’s first Communicable Disease Surveillance Strategy to be developed and released by the Australian CDC. This foundational document will guide the development and continued enhancement of the CDC’s surveillance and data capabilities, identify priority areas, and highlight where investment, integration and innovation are needed to build a more connected and effective national surveillance network. In line with the CDIC 2026 theme, Public Health at Risk – Collective Solutions to New Challenges, this proposed workshop provides a timely forum for collective problem‑solving at a moment of significant system reform.

 

Following release of the discussion paper, participants from across public health, community health and academic sectors will examine key themes, test options and share insights informed by operational experience, jurisdictional perspectives and community contexts. As an open consultation forum, the session offers a critical opportunity for stakeholders to directly shape the Strategy’s direction. Input gathered will inform decisions on priority areas, system improvements and governance approaches to strengthen Australia’s communicable disease surveillance capabilities.

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Target Audience: Public health professionals/practitioners involed in communicable disease surveillance and management, state and territory health departments, laboratories and diagnostic sector, One Health specialists, data sovereignty principles experts, stakeholders who rely on surveillance outputs (e.g. immunisation program staff, outbreak response teams, policymakers, modellers, Non Government Organisations (NGOs), and community organisations), Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), researchers and academics.

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Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand the key themes, gaps and priorities shaping the national surveillance strategy

  • Build shared insight across jurisdictions, sectors and communities on surveillance needs

  • Explore practical options for improving surveillance design, governance and coordination

  • Contribute ideas that directly shape the strategy’s priority areas and future direction

  • Gain clarity on how stakeholder input will inform the next stage of strategy development

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Symposium #4 - ​​Digital innovations in Public Health

Date: Tuesday 16 June 2026

Start Time: 1:30pm

Finish Time: 3:00pm

Room: Danvers room

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Hosted by: North Eastern Public Health Unit (NEPHU)

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Facilitated by: Dr. Katherine Ong

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Speakers/Panellists:

  • Dr. Claire Gordon

  • Dr. Bart Willems

  • Dr. Charles Alpren

  • Dr. Ben Scalley

  • Dr Fiona May ​

  • Dr. Rebecca Hogbin

 

Overview:

Harnessing digital innovation initiatives in the public health management of communicable diseases has the potential to improve data collection, improve public health reach and improve operational efficiency, thereby improving public health data and outcomes. With resource contstraints, local public health units are well placed to identify operational needs and develop and trial digital innovations in an agile and responsive manner. Currently there are many such inititives being developed, trialed and implemented across the country, and therefore many ideas and lessons that can be shared.

This symposium is an opportunity to bring together public health agencies nationally to share their digital innovation experiences, initiatives and barriers that have been overcome. Sharing of information could promote uptake of similar initiatives in other areas which could reduce duplication of efforts and increase reach, thereby improving Australia’s ability to effectively respond to communicable disease threats.

The symposium will also explore options to create an Digital Innovations Community of Practice, to be able to continue national discussions and collaborations in an ongoing manner.

 

Target Audience: Public health professionals and policy makers who work within communicable diease health protection units, at local, state and national level

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Learning Outcomes:

  • Understanding of how digital innovations are being used in communicable disease management across Australia

  • Barriers and facilitators of digital innovation uptake

  • How public health units across Australia can share ideas and information to improve uptake and efficiency of the public health response​

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