Australian Centre for Disease Control

Day 1 of the Communicable Diseases and Immunisation Conference is underway. We’re looking forward to connecting with colleagues from across the sector to share ideas, learn from one another, and explore how we can strengthen public health outcomes for all.

Our Director-General, Professor Zoe Wainer, helped open the conference with a keynote address to kick off the discussions.

Are you attending CDIC 2026? Let us know in the comments which sessions or workshops you’re most looking forward to! 👇

We are honoured to have Professor Zoe Wainer, Director General of The Australian Centre for Disease Control, give the opening keynote address at our Communicable Diseases & Immunisation Conference 2026

Welcome to everyone joining us here at Marvel Stadium.

🤰 🗓️ Are you pregnant? You’re eligible for a free respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine between 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy!

RSV infection is a common and contagious disease.

👶 Babies up to 6 months are especially at risk of catching and becoming seriously ill with RSV. But you can reduce the risks!

💉 Getting vaccinated when you’re pregnant makes antibodies (illness fighting cells) that are shared with your baby through the placenta – helping keep them safe when they’re most vulnerable to RSV in the first few months of life.

🛡️ Share protective antibodies with your baby. Speak with a health professional about getting vaccinated against RSV if you’re pregnant.

🔗 Learn more about RSV at https://www.cdc.gov.au/diseases/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv.

The maternal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine is available for eligible people under the National Immunisation Program. 🤰

RSV is a serious disease for newborn babies and infants. It infects the nose, throat and lungs. It’s a leading cause of infant hospitalisation.

The RSV vaccine is recommended for between 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy to protect newborn babies from RSV. 🗓️

The vaccine is free if you hold, or are eligible for, a Medicare card and are at least 28 weeks pregnant.

For more information, see the comments below. 👇

Are you prepared for winter?

Some illnesses are more likely to spread in the cooler months, including:

🦠 influenza
🦠 COVID-19
🦠 respiratory syncytial virus.

Vaccination is the best preparation – especially if you’re a First Nations person aged 50 or over.

It’s never too late to vaccinate, but the earlier you’re vaccinated, the earlier you’ll be protected.

Keep the winter nasties away. Have a yarn with your doctor about which vaccines are right for you and when you should get them.

For more information, visit https://www.health.gov.au/winter-vaccinations.

Winter is nearly here — it’s time to get ready.

You can help protect yourself and your community by getting vaccinated against winter nasties like the flu.

Check if you’re eligible for free vaccines:
🔹COVID-19 vaccine free for adults in Australia regardless of Medicare or visa status.
🔹Flu vaccine is free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for people 65 and over and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 6 months and over.
🔹Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine is now free under the NIP for people 75 and over and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 60 and over.

If you are not eligible for a free vaccine through the NIP, some states and territories may offer additional vaccines. Check with your health professional or contact your state or territory health department.

For more information, see the comments below 👇

Did you know nearly 70% of Aussie families eat chicken for dinner twice a week?

We each consume more than 50kg of chicken meat every year – that's almost half of all meat eaten in Australia!

But chicken and eggs can also cause foodborne illnesses, like Salmonella and Campylobacter, if they’re not handled or cooked safely.

A few simple steps can help reduce your risk:
🍳 cook chicken to at least 74°C
🧼 wash your hands, knives, chopping boards and benches after handling raw chicken.

Safe food handling can make a big difference.

🖱️ Find more practical tips on preventing foodborne illnesses at️ https://www.cdc.gov.au/advice/preventing-foodborne-illness.

❄️ There are lots of things to love about winter – cosy nights, warm drinks and rugging up. Getting sick isn’t one of them.

Illnesses like COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus are more common in winter – but you can protect yourself by preparing for them now!

💉🗓️ Vaccinations are the best preparation. They’re safe, effective and in lots of cases free.

It’s especially important to get ahead of the winter nasties if you’re at high risk of serious illness, including if you’re:

✅ an older person aged 65+
✅ a First Nations person aged 50+.

🔗 Be prepared and prevent serious illnesses this winter. Learn more about which vaccines are recommended for you at https://www.health.gov.au/winter-vaccinations.

When Autumn sets in, it’s time to get vaccinated against winter viruses, such as flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – especially if you’re an older Australian.

These viruses can lead to hospitalisation and death, but with safe and effective vaccines readily available, it’s easy to protect yourself.

Check if you’re eligible for free vaccines:
🔹COVID-19 vaccine free for adults in Australia regardless of Medicare or visa status.
🔹Flu vaccine is free for people 65 and over and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 6 months and over.
🔹RSV vaccine is now free for people 75 and over and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 60 and over.

For more information, see the comments below 👇

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections have dropped by 90% since Australia’s HPV vaccine program kicked off in 2007!

🖊️📉 But an Australian CDC funded report from the Kirby Institute reveals vaccination rates are slipping in all eligible populations, and not everyone has equal access.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescents and people living in remote areas are at highest risk of being left behind.

💉 The HPV vaccine is your best defence – it’s free for 12 to 13-year-olds through the school vaccination program, or up to age 26 if you missed out.

Remember, safe s*x helps stop the spread, but condoms only give partial protection from HPV.

🧒🧑🧑‍⚕️ Let’s work together to protect our communities. Chat with your family, encourage your mates, and talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated against HPV.

🔗 Want to learn more? Check out the latest HPV findings in the Kirby Institute’s new report https://www.cdc.gov.au/newsroom/news-and-articles/australias-hpv-vaccine-program-leads-90-drop-prevalence-gaps-remain.

🛫 Travelling to the Middle East for Hajj?

Learn about Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and how you can protect yourself.

🚑 MERS is a rare disease but it can be deadly. No vaccine is available – but there are ways you can help avoid catching and spreading it. 🛡️

🔗 Learn how at https://www.cdc.gov.au/diseases/middle-east-respiratory-syndrome-mers.

Our role in biosecurity We administer the parts of the Biosecurity Act 2015 that relate to human health. We work with other agencies to reduce the risk of harmful human diseases entering and leaving Australia.

Did you know children under 5 are more likely to end up in hospital from the flu, but only 1 in 3 got their annual flu vaccine last year? Let’s boost those numbers! 🚑

💡 There are now 2 ways to keep your little legends safe – the flu jab or the new nasal spray. Both are here to help protect kids from getting really sick.

The nasal spray is approved for kids aged 2 to 17 and is now available for purchase, or you can grab it for free through state programs in:

✅ NSW & SA for 2 to 4 year olds
✅ QLD for 2 to 5 year olds
✅ WA for 2 to 11 year olds

Whether you choose the jab or spray, both options are safe and effective. The annual flu jab is free for children aged 6 months to under 5 years – it’s recommended every year for everyone 6 months and up!

Chat with a doctor about what works best for your family and help you and your kids stay flu-free. 💉👃

🔗 Find more ways to stay safe this winter at https://www.cdc.gov.au/newsroom/news-and-articles/get-ready-winter-respiratory-illnesses.

Don't let mould take hold in your home this winter!

Exposure to mould can trigger or worsen serious health issues in some people – especially those with asthma, allergies or respiratory infections.

🏠🦠 Regularly clean mould-prone surfaces with diluted vinegar or detergent. Remember to dry everything thoroughly after cleaning.

Always make sure you have good ventilation when cleaning mouldy surfaces and wear protective gear like an N95 or P2 mask.

If you're unsure about tackling tough spots, professional help is just a call away.

And remember that simply removing visible mould isn't enough. Tiny spores can help it spread even after you’ve cleaned what you can see.

🔗 Find more information and practical tips to help prevent mould at https://www.cdc.gov.au/advice/preventing-mould-exposure.