Australia will begin vaccinating at-risk native bird populations against the H5N1 avian influenza strain in the coming days and weeks, following the first mass seabird deaths and continued virus spread.
Childhood vaccination rates have fallen across Britain over the last 15 years. To counter this, inventive local clinics—such as one in a vacant Keighley shopping centre unit—are bringing vaccines directly to parents to improve accessibility.
Over 60,000 suspected measles cases and nearly 600 deaths reported in Bangladesh since mid-March, with malnourished children and underserved communities most affected. Gaps in vaccination coverage raise concerns of further spread.
This opinion piece argues that immunisation should be recognised as a strategic investment in resilience, not merely a tool for preventing acute childhood infections. The author highlights how infections trigger cascades of complications including cardiovascular events, cognitive decline, and antimicrobial resistance. Citing Ireland's RSV vaccination programme which reduced hospitalizations by 76%, the piece argues adult immunisation can generate returns up to 19 times initial investment. With most EU member states allocating less than 0.5% of healthcare budgets to vaccination, the author calls for sustained investment across the full vaccine ecosystem.
